Umahi, Best Performing Minister, Driving Southeast Infrastructure Growth — Onoh

Former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Dr. Josef Onoh, has praised the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, describing him as the best-performing member of the current federal cabinet.

Onoh made the remarks in a statement issued to journalists in Enugu after a two-day inspection tour of ongoing federal infrastructure projects across the Southeast, culminating in a visit to the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.

According to Onoh, Umahi’s appointment in August 2023 has delivered unprecedented benefits to the Southeast, describing it as the most impactful since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 and even since the end of Nigeria's civil war.

He noted that Umahi, a seasoned civil engineer and Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, has brought technical expertise, hands-on supervision, and a commitment to quality infrastructure delivery to the Ministry of Works.

“What sets him apart is his philosophy of building to last,” Onoh said, highlighting Umahi’s introduction of reinforced concrete pavements as an alternative to traditional asphalt roads. 

He explained that the innovation of concrete pavement is expected to produce roads lasting between 50 and 100 years, significantly reducing maintenance costs and addressing the persistent issue of road deterioration in Nigeria.

Onoh further stated that the minister has prioritized the Southeast, reversing years of perceived neglect through the rehabilitation and reconstruction of key federal highways. 

He cited major projects such as the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, where reconstructed sections have already been opened to traffic, and the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, with substantial progress recorded and full completion targeted before 2026.

Other projects mentioned include the Enugu–Ebonyi Road, valued at ₦180 billion, and the Enugu–Benue highway, part of a broader ₦1.5 trillion economic corridor. He added that strategic routes linking Owerri and Onitsha are also progressing.

In addition, Onoh highlighted ongoing work on legacy infrastructure and economic corridors, including components of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, aimed at boosting trade, reducing travel time, and enhancing regional connectivity.

He also pointed to improvements in bridge and access infrastructure, particularly roads linked to the Second Niger Bridge, noting that these developments are strengthening economic integration across regions.

Onoh said that Umahi’s achievements as minister build on his record as governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023, where he oversaw the construction of over 1,500 kilometres of concrete roads, more than 20 flyovers, and major projects such as the Ebonyi State International Airport and the Abakaliki Ring Road.

He argued that the ongoing infrastructure drive in the Southeast is helping to reshape perceptions of the Tinubu administration in the region, addressing longstanding concerns about marginalisation.

“The Southeast is now a major construction zone with visible federal presence,” Onoh said, adding that the projects will enhance trade, improve safety, create jobs, and serve as lasting evidence of inclusive governance.

He added that, in the long term, the developments are expected to foster trust and goodwill toward the federal government while strengthening regional integration and economic growth.

Onoh also commended Umahi for maintaining strict quality control, personally inspecting projects, and rejecting substandard work, which he said has set a new benchmark for public service delivery.

He noted that the minister has received several accolades, including the Silverbird Extraordinary Personality of the Year and Infrastructure Transformation Champion awards, in recognition of his performance.

Drawing a comparison, Onoh said Umahi’s impact in the Southeast mirrors—and even surpasses—the role of Nyesom Wike in the Federal Capital Territory.

He concluded that Umahi’s leadership at the Ministry of Works has positioned him as a transformative figure in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector and a key driver of development in the Southeast.

“The people of the Southeast have every reason to support this performance,” Onoh said, describing it as a new era of inclusion, connectivity, and sustainable development.