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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects are designed to connect every region of the country, stimulate economic growth and improve national integration, as he formally flagged off Section One of the Akwanga–Jos Road project in Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the ceremony, Umahi described the project as part of the President’s “Fourth Legacy Project” and outlined the administration’s broader highway development plan, which stretches across several geopolitical zones.
“Today, we are here to flag off Section One of the Fourth Legacy Project of Mr President. Three weeks ago, we were in Gombe State where we flagged off Section Two of this stretch, which starts from Akwanga, passes through Jos, Bauchi and Gombe,” he said.
The minister explained that the route would be extended further into Yobe and Borno states.
“The National Chairman just reminded me that after Gombe, this road will cut into southern Yobe, and so we are going to incorporate Yobe. From there it will continue through Biu to Maiduguri. The entire stretch of the route is about 700 kilometres.”
Umahi said the project complements three other flagship highway corridors already under construction across the country.
He explained that the First Legacy Project spans about 750 kilometres from Lagos through Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
“The Third Legacy Project begins from where the first one stops in Cross River and continues into Ebonyi, Benue, Nasarawa and eventually the Federal Capital Territory.”
He noted that additional sections had already been approved and awarded.
“The second section has already been approved and is ongoing. It runs from Ebonyi to the Benue boundary, about 168 kilometres. It is ongoing and extends to Nasarawa before connecting to the FCT.”
Tinubu connecting Nigeria through infrastructure
Umahi said the various highway projects would eventually form an interconnected national road network.
“The story here is that the Fourth Legacy Project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is starting through this geopolitical zone. What a fair President. Can we put our hands together for Mr President?”
“But that is not the end of the story. The entire four Legacy Projects are connected.”
According to him, the coastal highway would eventually feature one of Africa’s landmark engineering projects.
“At the Badagry section, we have about 61 kilometres going through the Lekki axis, and we are going to have a 3.5-kilometre tunnel. It is going to be the first tunnel of its kind in Africa before connecting to Victoria Island.”
The minister said the administration was also executing major road projects across the North-West, North-East and North-Central regions.
“You can start from Sokoto to Zamfara, then all the way to Zaria, about 700 kilometres. The President is doing it, and most of the roads have been changed to reinforced concrete pavement.”
Umahi defended the ministry’s decision to increasingly adopt reinforced concrete pavement instead of asphalt, citing the premature deterioration of some recently completed roads.
“I was inspecting projects in the South-West and saw that one section constructed with asphalt had not lasted up to three years before it became fully destroyed. It was so disheartening.”
“That is why I fought for the use of reinforced concrete, and I thank God for the President because he strongly supported me.”
He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had already approved the reconstruction of one of the failed highway sections using reinforced concrete technology.
“FEC approved that the road, which was constructed less than two years ago, must now be reconstructed with reinforced concrete because it is the most heavily trafficked section in our country.”
The minister stressed that asphalt would only be used where technically unavoidable.
“In the Ministry of Works, I have almost phased out the use of asphalt. Wherever possible and practicable, we will continue to use reinforced concrete technology.”
Replies critics, challenges Obi to debate
Umahi also responded to criticisms over the condition of some federal highways, accusing unnamed opposition figures of politicising infrastructure issues.
Referring to former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, he said:
“I saw on social media where my brother, the former governor of Anambra State, got to a bad section of road, took photographs and began attacking my integrity and personality.”
“When did governance reduce to comedy?”
“I am always ready for a debate. I am ready to disaggregate the costs and the unique benefits of reinforced concrete. Governance is the responsibility of everybody.”
He added that responsibility for the ministry’s performance rests with him and not President Tinubu.
“If anything goes wrong in the Ministry of Works, I take responsibility, not the President.”
“The President is not here today, but I have to be the President by performing the assignment he has given to me.”
Umahi urged state governors to do more to communicate the impact of projects being executed under the Tinubu administration.
“I want to thank our sub-national governors. They are doing quite a lot, but I think they are too quiet.”
“They have to tell the story. They have to tell Nigerians what they are doing in their states and what the President is doing.”
Recalling his experience as governor of Ebonyi State, he said improved federal allocations under the current administration had significantly increased the financial capacity of states.
“When I was governor, our monthly allocation was between ₦3.5 billion and ₦4.5 billion.”
“But today the story is different because of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Umahi announced that President Tinubu had approved the immediate release of ₦111 billion to enable the contractor commence work without delay.
“It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Ministry of Works, to hand over this site to the contractor, CGC/CGCOC Joint Venture.”
“To the glory of God, you will not stop this project.”
“The President has approved the immediate release of ₦111 billion to this contractor for take-off.”
He added that the Ministry of Finance had already been directed to process payment.
“I spoke with the Minister of Finance and told him to obtain the original approval documents immediately so that payment can be made this week.”
The minister further instructed the contractor to mobilise to site within one week.
“You must start this project within the next one week at Akwanga, Jos and the middle section. If it doesn’t happen, the project is gone.”
After the contractor pledged compliance, Umahi replied:
“Very good. God will bless you.”
Umahi concluded by expressing confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and predicting he would complete two terms in office.
“I pray that God Almighty will continue to strengthen President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, continue to give him health, peace, wisdom and knowledge.”
“While the noisemakers on social media are making noise, God Almighty is empowering him.”
He added:
“2031 is the exit date of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am a priest and I am also a prophet, and I have prophesied.”
The minister officially handed over the project site to CGC/CGCOC Joint Venture, charging the company to begin construction immediately while assuring that the Federal Government remained committed to completing the strategic highway corridor.
Boluwatife Enome
