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The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed contractors handling the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway not to demolish or tamper with any building located along the project alignment until the Federal Government completes a review of the route.
Umahi gave the directive on September 23, 2026, during an inspection of Section Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway at Ado in Benue State, where he also ordered contractors to accelerate construction work.
According to the minister, Section Two of the project covers 173 kilometres and is valued at ₦683 billion, while Section One is valued at ₦454 billion.
He said the contractor handling Section Two had opened the first element of the initial eight-kilometre stretch, while efforts were ongoing to resolve the engineering challenge around the Ado Bridge.
Umahi said he had directed the contractor to open another section from the Ado River while engineers work on the most appropriate solution to the bridge challenge.
“I do not believe in engineering that anything is impossible,” the minister said, adding that at least three sections of the first element of Section Two should be opened simultaneously to improve the pace of construction.
He commended the contractor for the progress made since his previous inspection, saying, “From the last time we were here until now, he has done very well, and I’m very proud of what he’s doing.”
On buildings located within the present alignment, Umahi said the protection of lives and property must be considered before any demolition is undertaken.
“My directive is that no building should be touched. Even if it’s within the alignment, I have to come and realign it. So you just have to continue your work and go around those buildings until we come to look at it,” he said.
The minister also directed that sharp curves along the highway should be strengthened, noting that engineering conditions on the ground could require modifications to an original design.
He explained that the project was being executed under an EPC Plus Finance arrangement, under which variations were not provided for, making careful management of quantities and resources necessary to avoid additional costs to the Federal Government.
Umahi also disclosed that additional works were being carried out under Section One, including the dualisation of the road at Onueke and the dualisation around Chainage 0 at Ndibe Beach.
Defending the Federal Government's infrastructure programme, particularly in the Southeast, Umahi dismissed claims that he had concentrated Federal Government projects in the region.
“I saw on social media where they say I cornered all projects to Southeast. That is very wonderful. But we have the publication of all projects ongoing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so they darken counsel without knowledge,” he said.
He stressed that the projects were part of President Bola Tinubu's national infrastructure programme and not his personal initiative.
“I’m not on my own. The President is my boss. So where will he be when I corner all projects to Southeast?” he asked.
Umahi said the Southeast was receiving infrastructure attention as part of the administration's wider distribution of projects, adding that while the region might not be first, second or third in infrastructure development, “definitely they will not be the last.”
Umahi: No Rainbow Coalition In Ebonyi
The minister also dismissed suggestions that he was part of a political “Rainbow Coalition” in Ebonyi State involving former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Asked about his relationship with Wike and reports of a possible coalition, Umahi said, “If Wike has candidates here, he has not told me. And his candidate cannot break our relationship, but his candidate is not part of our relationship.”
He reaffirmed his allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), recalling his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party after accusing the party of failing to adequately recognise the interests of the Southeast.
“We supported PDP. We voted for presidents in PDP. And when it was our time for them to honour us, they did not honour us. They maltreated us,” he said.
Umahi, however, said political opponents remained free to campaign in Ebonyi, provided they did so peacefully.
“Anybody that wants to campaign, come and campaign. But don’t dish out hate speeches and you want to take those speeches, and you want that we should lay a red carpet for you. We will not do that,” he said.
He said Nigerians should assess the Tinubu administration by infrastructure projects already under construction rather than campaign promises about future projects.
“We tell our story. It’s not a question of saying, ‘I will do this, I’ll do this.’ What about the one that the person is doing? Let us compare the past with the present,” he said.
The minister cited the Ebonyi State ring road, recalling that the state borrowed $150 million during his tenure as governor to construct 199 kilometres of the road. He argued that the cost of delivering such a project at current prices would be substantially higher.
On arguments over savings and infrastructure investment, Umahi said, “You can’t save food where the people are hungry,” arguing that infrastructure creates assets capable of supporting economic activity and connectivity.
He disclosed that four legacy infrastructure projects of the Tinubu administration were being financed through a combination of Federal Government and foreign funding, with 30 per cent provided in naira by the Federal Government and 70 per cent through foreign financing.
Umahi also rejected claims that the administration had abandoned existing roads for new projects, saying several of the legacy projects involve the expansion and reconstruction of existing road corridors.
Umahi Defends Tinubu, Criticises Obi's Political Record
Addressing the 2027 presidential election, Umahi said his support for President Tinubu was based on his belief in the President's vision and reforms.
“What gave rise is because I believe in President Bola Tinubu. I believe that he’s the one called of God. I believe in his vision. I believe in his reforms,” he said.
He argued that continuity was important for major infrastructure projects because changes in government could affect projects that require several years to complete.
“If, God forbid, another person says he’s President, all these projects will be stalled. And I don’t think Ebonyi wants their projects to be stalled,” Umahi said.
Responding to questions about former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Umahi said his criticisms were based on policy, political messaging and what he described as the use of ethnic and tribal sentiments in political discourse.
He recalled working with Obi during their years as governors and attending meetings of the Southeast Governors’ Forum when Obi was chairman.
Umahi said political promises should be assessed alongside previous records and measurable achievements.
“If the past outing you cannot have something to verify, then you cannot be assured of the promises of the second time,” he said.
The minister also addressed the nomination of his son by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area.
He clarified that the nomination was made by the governor and not by him, adding that he had advised his son to uphold transparency, honesty and prudent management of public funds.
Umahi said he had also instructed his son to ensure equitable development across all 11 wards in the council rather than favouring his home community.
“I’ve advised him, don’t do anything for the people of Uburu because you are from Uburu. It has to be equitably distributed among the eleven council wards in Ohaozara Local Government,” he said.
He further said anyone wishing to campaign in Ebonyi was free to do so but warned against actions capable of causing violence or disrupting peace in the state.
“Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State,” Umahi said.
