Umahi: No region left out in Tinubu’s infrastructure revolution

Dave Umahi, minister of works, says no section of Nigeria has been left out in President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure revolution, promising to release the list of all projects across the country.

Umahi spoke in Abuja on Thursday after the weekly federal executive council (FEC) meeting presided over by Tinubu.

“Mr. President has done extremely, very, very well in both urban and rural infrastructure,” the minister said.

“I’m going to publish all the projects—over N10 billion—across the entire country. I’m trying to be correct, and that will be next week.”

He said 118 km of road in the Abuja projects cost N286 billion, with N75 billion paid (30%), noting that over half of the work has been completed.

The minister said the second phase of the roads covers 164 km at N502 billion, with N150 billion (30%) already released.

On the Abuja–Kano road spanning 72 km at N450 billion, he said N135 billion (30%) has been disbursed to the contractor.

He added that the Abuja County application project, valued at $22 billion, has also received a 30 percent payment for ongoing work.

Highlighting regional works, Umahi said funds were released for all four sections of the Bauchi–Gombe road, while Sukuk bond funds support Gombe projects, which have commenced.

He noted that the Nembe Bridge project received 30 percent of its N156 billion allocation, adding that it would eliminate costly airboat transport to oil rigs.

“I’ve always said that when a road is not connected, you can’t move from one state to the other,” Umahi said.

“It’s tantamount to being in prison because your movement is restricted… Projects bring down costs; the GDP of states is being improved.”

The minister also cited the 85 percent completion of the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway, saying it has had a positive impact on Lagos’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He added that the Adamawa project, initially awarded in 2020 for 45 km, has been extended to 61.76 km for the Biu–Newman road.

He said the Lagos–Shagamu–Ijebu Ode–Ore project, awarded in 2018 and reviewed in 2023, is about 25 percent complete and recently received an additional N11.423 billion.

He noted that the Niger state road project was revised to include a binder crossing and a new bridge, raising costs by N8.94 billion.

He said the Sokoto–Badagry corridor’s second section was awarded for 228 km of three lanes at N961 billion, with an additional 120 km completed in Sokoto.

Expressing regret over the Keffi Flyover tragedy, Umahi said three lives were lost, noting that the government has settled with families and begun reconstruction work.

He said the bridge is currently closed to traffic, and no pending charges exist.

Umahi reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to openness and accountability.

“Anytime, any day, I would like to have a debate with anybody that wants more knowledge in terms of our ongoing infrastructure,” he said.

“That will come next week, and you will be able to see the great things that Mr. President is doing.”