Umahi to Obi: It’s not yet Southeast’s turn to produce president

 

Minister of Works Dave Umahi has said former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, should be clearly told that the time has not come for the Igbo to produce Nigeria’s president, cautioning that his ambition should not place the people of the Southeast at risk.

The minister also disclosed that the current administration met 2,068 ongoing projects valued at ₦13 trillion before the removal of fuel subsidy and the flotation of the naira.

Umahi made the remarks while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the reconstruction of the 56-kilometre Aba section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu, through appointments and projects initiated in the Southeast since assuming office in 2023, has addressed the marginalisation previously experienced by the region.

During the inspection, which also covered the Alaoji Railway overhead bridge and the Obehie axis, the minister cited projects such as the Onitsha–Owerri and Enugu–Abakaliki corridors as evidence that the region is no longer neglected.

“Unless we are not telling ourselves the truth, there is no more marginalisation in the Southeast,” Umahi stated.

“We have never had a Minister of Works from this region until now. It is time for the Southeast to be strategic and support President Tinubu. We should tell our brother, Peter Obi, that it is not yet our turn.”

He added that the Southeast must build alliances with other parts of the country, noting that the 2027 general election offers an opportunity for the Igbo to reciprocate what he described as the President’s goodwill towards the zone.

“To have given Southeast the Minister of Works portfolio, we have never been Minister of Works, and you can see the product and the intention and good heart of the President, and so, it is time for a payback. You all know the amount of work from Port Harcourt to Enugu; there is no section of this work that is not going on for completion.

“Never in the history of Nigeria have we benefited as such. I was a Deputy Governor and then Governor for 8 years. No single project came to that state, but today, we can boast of a number of projects that are ongoing. We can boast of trillions of naira projects going on in the Southeast, like in other regions.

“The test legacy project of the President is in the Southeast. We have a service chief, we have key appointments and a lot that is going on in the Southeast under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So, it is time to support the President; the people of the Southeast should support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We should not engage in sentiments. We should not engage in non-strategic moves. We should tell our brother, Peter Obi, that it is not yet our turn; when it is our turn, Nigerians and Southeast people will know when it is our turn.”

On the number of projects nationwide, Umahi said, “We inherited 2,068 ongoing projects totaling ₦13tn before the removal of fuel subsidy and naira flotation.

“To ensure these jobs don’t stop, we have migrated contractors like Arab Contractors to the Sukuk fund. They have ₦2bn to claim immediately, and with the 2025 budget allocations, they will have access to ₦4.7bn by the end of this month.”

At the Obehie axis, where work is being handled by CCECC and indigenous contractor JRB, the minister commended the performance of local firms. He also announced a new construction approach, introducing reinforced concrete pavement on the Port Harcourt-bound lane to guarantee durability for at least 50 years.

“We are building roads, not just constructing them. JRB has been mobilised on emergency grounds to fast-track the remaining sections.”

Umahi further directed contractors working on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway to meet a May 15, 2024, deadline for the commissioning of the Aba to Imo River section by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Responding to criticism over transparency, he said: “They want me to be accountable, and I enjoy it. I am presiding over the funds of the Federation. If you have a petition, send it to the ICPC. Our projects are open for verification.”

(SUN)