Tony Okafor

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Thursday declared that agitation over marginalisation and the quest for a Biafra Republic by the Igbo should cease, asserting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has addressed the concerns of the South-East through infrastructure development and political inclusion.

Umahi made the remarks in Enugu while flagging off a section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway at Ugwu Onyeama to ease traffic congestion ahead of the Easter celebrations.

Speaking during the event, the minister said the longstanding complaints of marginalisation in the South-East had effectively been resolved, citing federal appointments and ongoing road projects across the region.

“The marginalisation we are talking about is over. For the first time, your son is the Minister of Works. We must tell our people what the President has done,” he said.

Umahi, who also expressed strong confidence in Tinubu’s political future, stated that the President would secure re-election in 2027, urging South-East leaders and voters to be strategic and united in their support.

“We should give Tinubu not less than 80 per cent of our votes in 2027. Let no one split our votes,” he said, adding that leaders in the region must openly commend the administration’s efforts.

He emphasised that governance should be measured by development, infrastructure, equity and fairness, noting that the current administration has made significant strides in these areas.

The minister disclosed that he had directed the installation of solar-powered streetlights and tree planting along the Enugu–Onitsha corridor as part of broader efforts to improve infrastructure and aesthetics.

Umahi explained that his visit to Enugu was on the directive of the President to temporarily open the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the expressway in order to alleviate traffic difficulties often experienced by motorists, particularly during festive periods.

According to him, the road project—initially awarded under the MTN tax credit scheme—had suffered delays before the current administration intervened.

“This is the most important road in the South-East. It was on standstill until I appealed to the President. He directed that the project be handled with the same standard as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road,” he said.

He added that the project had been reviewed at a cost of about N202 billion, excluding an additional 70 kilometres, noting that the reconstruction would prioritise durable cement technology over asphalt for longevity and reduced maintenance.

The minister recalled that before the intervention, commuters could spend up to seven hours travelling between Onitsha and Enugu, a situation he said would soon be a thing of the past.

Reeling out other ongoing federal road projects in the region, Umahi maintained that the scale of infrastructure development under Tinubu’s administration amounts to delivering the economic and developmental aspirations long associated with the Biafra cause.

“With all these roads, I can say that the Biafra Ndigbo are looking for is here,” he said.

He, however, urged continued support for the administration to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects in the South-East.