The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has insisted that the South-East region is receiving its fair share of road and bridge projects under the current government.

Umahi, who reacted to claims that the South East has been excluded from the infrastructure development agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration, said that writer of a viral social media post chose to change the narrative of his press briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on the Trans Sahara Section 1, with a malicious intention to inciting the Igbos against Tinubu.

Umahi’s reaction was contained in a statement on Monday in response to a post by one Linus Anagboso, tagged ‘The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South East missing from the map?’.

“The writer chose to change the narrative of my press briefing after the FEC meeting on the Trans Sahara Section 1, which runs from Ebonyi State to the Benue State border, a stretch of 123.64km awarded for ₦445.8 billion.

“He deliberately chose to call it the Oyo-Benue border road to deceive and incite Nigerians,” the Minister said.

He explained that the Third Legacy Project of the Tinubu administration, which spans Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and the FCT, covers 465km in total.

Of this, 231.64km x 2 lies within the South East, with ₦445.8 billion already awarded for that section and ₦108 billion released to contractors, he noted, saying, “This administration treats the South East with fairness.

“Where was the writer when Mr. President decided to revive abandoned projects in the region, many dating as far back as 2013? Over 90 per cent of them have been brought back to life and are ongoing.”

He listed several critical road projects in the region, including the Second Niger Bridge Access Roads in Delta and Anambra States, valued at ₦146 billion and ₦176 billion respectively; the Enugu-Onitsha Road, a 208km stretch under the MTN Tax Credit Scheme valued at ₦202 billion; and the remaining sections being completed by CBC (Nig.) Ltd at ₦150 billion, with ₦45 billion released just last week.

Other major projects, he said, include the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway (in four sections), the Enugu–Abakaliki Road, Afikpo–Abia–Imo Road, Onitsha–Owerri–Aba Road, Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road, and the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road.

The Minister called on the people of the South East to “open their eyes and see the light of change” being implemented across the country under President Tinubu, urging them to reject divisive narratives and lend their full support to the President.

“The South East must not be deceived again. Mr. President has shown love and fairness to our people. We must rise above the politics of hate, misinformation, and sentiment.

“If we truly want to lead this country one day, we must first support others. That is how unity works,” he said.

He urged the people of the region to back the President’s re-election in 2027, pledging that the region stands to benefit even more if it throws its weight behind the administration.

“Mr. President must have the votes of the South East up to 90 per cent to cement this relationship. Enough of darkening counsel without knowledge. We are known for hard work and love, not hate. If we play our part in national unity, with God, one day, others will support us too,” he said.

He also praised South East Governors for their collaboration with the Federal Government and the developmental strides they are recording in their states. He urged the people to support their efforts and vote them in for a second term.

“I commend our leaders, the South Eastern Governors for their support and the great works they are doing. I urge our people to support them and our dear President for a second tenure in their respective offices,” he said.

Reaffirming his resolve to counter any attempt to mislead the public about the government’s development agenda, Umahi stressed, “I will vocally continue to stand against any mischief meant to deceive our people.

“Never again shall we be deceived,” he added.