Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has strongly rejected claims that the country’s southeastern region is being overlooked in federal road infrastructure projects, describing a recent report as “false, misleading, and deceptive.” The rebuttal followed an article by commentator Linus Anagboso, published under the title “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South East Missing from the Map?” which accused the government of neglecting road development in the area.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Works’ Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, Umahi called for an immediate retraction of the article, arguing that it distorted facts about ongoing and newly approved projects. He emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to equitable development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including the South East. According to the minister, 90% of road projects abandoned since 2013 have been revived under Tinubu’s administration, with new initiatives progressing “without discrimination.”
Among key projects highlighted was a N445.8 billion (approximately $298 million) “Legacy Project” linking Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja, with 231.64 kilometers traversing the South East. Umahi noted that the Federal Executive Council recently reaffirmed the corridor’s scope and funding. He accused Anagboso of misleading the public by inaccurately labeling the route as an “Oyo-Benue road” instead of acknowledging its South East segment.
The minister also listed major infrastructure efforts underway in the region, including the Second Niger Bridge Access Roads, divided into Delta (N146 billion) and Anambra (N176 billion) sections. The Enugu-Onitsha Highway, spanning 208 kilometers, is being partially funded through a N202 billion MTN Tax Credit scheme, with civil engineering firm CBC handling remaining sections at N150 billion. Additionally, the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road is under development across four phases, connecting multiple states in the South East and South South regions.
Umahi urged residents to support Tinubu’s administration, citing its “fairness and love” toward the area, and praised South East governors for aligning with federal development goals. While expressing confidence that the region would “one day produce Nigeria’s president,” he clarified that such a shift would not occur in the 2027 elections. The minister reaffirmed his dedication to combating misinformation, stating, “It is my duty to correct falsehoods aimed at deceiving our people.”
The statement underscores ongoing debates over resource allocation in Nigeria, where regional equity remains a sensitive issue. With infrastructure gaps impacting economic growth and social cohesion, the government’s project disclosures aim to counter perceptions of marginalization ahead of future electoral cycles.
