South-East’s Exclusion from FG’s ₦610bn Infrastructure Approvals ‘Dangerous Economic Provocation’ - Onoh

The Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has condemned the Federal Government’s recent approval of infrastructure projects worth ₦610.13 billion, describing the alleged exclusion of the South-East from major road investments as a “dangerous economic provocation” and evidence of systemic marginalisation of the region.

Onoh, in a statement reacting to the latest Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals, said the South-East had been given what he described as an insignificant intervention, with the region’s only listed project being a proposed ₦19.70 billion trailer park at Aro-Ngwa in Abia State.

According to him, the project represents about 3.23 per cent of the total approvals and is structured as a 50-year private concession under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), meaning, in his assessment, that it does not constitute direct federal capital expenditure comparable to the road projects approved for other parts of the country.

Onoh said a comparative analysis of the approvals showed a significant disparity in infrastructure allocations.

He cited the ₦159.83 billion reconstruction of roads in Ekiti State, ₦96.43 billion maintenance of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, ₦94.24 billion Ilara-Iselu Road project in Ogun State and ₦74.51 billion East-West Road section in Rivers State as examples of projects whose approved values substantially exceed the South-East's allocation.

Other projects he listed included the ₦56.75 billion Suleja-Min-na Road section in Niger State, ₦54.52 billion Phase II road rehabilitation in Ekiti State and the ₦54.12 billion Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road in Ogun State.

‘A lorry depot cannot build an economy’

Onoh argued that the proposed Aro-Ngwa trailer park could not be regarded as an adequate infrastructure response to the South-East’s economic needs.

“A lorry depot cannot build an economy,” he said, contending that the region requires infrastructure capable of supporting manufacturing, trade, transportation and industrial expansion.

He argued that a trailer park, on its own, would not create the type of high-value industrial employment or manufacturing capacity needed to transform the region's economy.

Onoh further warned that establishing a major trailer park without simultaneously addressing the condition of the federal highways serving the South-East could worsen congestion, accelerate the deterioration of local roads and create additional security challenges.

He maintained that rather than reducing the cost of doing business, such an arrangement could increase the financial burden on logistics operators and traders if it becomes primarily a revenue-generating facility.

Onoh demands major infrastructure intervention

The former South-East spokesman of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council called on the Federal Government to embark on what he described as a comprehensive infrastructure intervention in the region.

Among his demands is direct federal funding for the completion and rehabilitation of the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways.

He also called for the extension of standard-gauge railway infrastructure to major industrial centres, including Aba, Nnewi and Onitsha, arguing that efficient rail freight connectivity would reduce pressure on roads and facilitate the movement of goods.

Onoh further demanded the integration of South-East industrial clusters into the national gas network to provide cheaper and more reliable energy for manufacturers, foundries and processing industries.

He also urged the Federal Government to operationalise the Isiala Ngwa Dry Port in Abia State as a fully functional customs-cleared inland port, which he said would help reduce dependence on the Lagos maritime ports.

On environmental challenges, Onoh called for massive emergency funding to address gully erosion and other ecological threats affecting communities in Anambra, Imo and Abia states.

‘My region deserves better’

Onoh urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to treat the South-East as a strategic partner in Nigeria's economic development rather than a region receiving what he described as token interventions.

He said genuine federal character and inclusive governance should be reflected in the distribution of critical national infrastructure.

He concluded with an analogy, saying the South-East should not be offered “a slice of soaked bread” when what the region needs is meaningful investment capable of strengthening its economic foundations.

“My region deserves better, Mr. President,” Onoh said.