Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has ended the marginalisation of the South-East through inclusive governance and increased infrastructure development.
Umahi made the claim during an inspection of the ongoing Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway.
The minister said Tinubu’s appointment of him as Works Minister was part of the President’s strategy to bring the South-East closer to the centre of national development.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government had begun arrangements to compensate property owners whose buildings and other assets would be affected by the construction of the highway.
According to Umahi, the Federal Government has decided to take responsibility for compensation in areas where state governments are unable or unwilling to pay, following Tinubu’s directive that compensation issues should not delay critical road projects.
He said the government had already paid compensation to some affected property owners, including those in Abaomege, while the Ebonyi State Government had paid for properties affected by the Onueke flyover.
Umahi disclosed that about ₦18 billion had been paid as compensation for affected properties in Lagos State, adding that a similar approach would be adopted along the Cross River-Abuja corridor where necessary.
He, however, said an initial assessment of properties affected by the project produced an estimated compensation bill of about ₦6 billion, which he considered too high given the funds available for the road construction.
The minister therefore directed officials to review the valuation, promising that payment would be approved within 72 hours after the review.
Umahi said the superhighway would improve transportation, boost commerce, enhance security and strengthen connectivity between the South-East and other parts of Nigeria.
He highlighted other ongoing projects in the region, including the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road, Onueke flyover and planned Ukwuachi flyover.
According to him, the Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja corridor will cover hundreds of kilometres and connect several states, with some sections being upgraded to dual carriageways.
Umahi urged residents of the South-East to support the Federal Government, saying the scale of ongoing infrastructure projects demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to developing the region.
