Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, on Thursday, said President Bola Tinubu was committed to rewriting the history of roads construction in Nigeria in fulfillment of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Umahi stated this when he inspected federal roads alongside Governor Monday Okpebholo in Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts of Edo State.
The inspection tour took the federal government delegation to Ujuelen, the Ekpoma stretch of the Benin–Auchi–Lokoja Expressway and Egbele in Uromi, where he expressed displeasure over the condition of the roads.
While commending Governor Okpebholo for his ongoing interventions, the Minister urged the Edo State Government to intensify its support in alleviating the plight of road users.
Umahi also officially handed over the completion of one full carriageway from Ewu to Agbor to the Edo State Government during the visit.
He explained that while the Federal Ministry of Works will handle the design, execution will be managed locally by the State Government.
He noted that President Tinubu is committed to rewriting the history of road construction in the country by ensuring durability and sustainability.
“From Benin to Ekpoma alone is 53km, and CBC has begun work on the first stretch, already covering 2km without a single payment made. This is commendable. However, CCECC must sit up.
“By Monday, if I do not see efficiency on at least two sections, their contracts will be terminated. President Tinubu is determined to build roads that will last 50 to 100 years, not the short-lived projects of the past,” Umahi declared.
He further applauded BUA International for its handling of the Ekpoma section of the expressway, describing the quality as excellent and urged the company to accelerate completion of its first 10km before October.
Umahi warned that failure could result in termination of contracts nationwide.
The minister also sent a stern warning to federal directors and controllers, insisting that they must leave their offices and monitor projects on-site.
“If I visit any state and encounter gridlock like I did here today, I will immediately redeploy the state director and controller to Abuja. The President is working for the people, and his officers must do the same,” he stressed.
Governor Okpbholo, on his part, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritising Edo roads, noting that the administration’s renewed focus has inspired confidence among the people.
“What our administration is doing is visible to everyone. In the past, the State Government put up signs saying, ‘Please bear with us. This is a federal road.’ But Edo people use these roads, and we cannot abandon them. President Tinubu has changed the narrative, and our people are grateful. The by-election results have shown that Edo people have rejected the PDP and embraced APC,” the governor said.
Director of Federal Highways (Construction and Rehabilitation), Engr. Clement Ogbuagu, also commended BUA International for the quality of work delivered on the 30km Ekpoma section, explaining that the previous contractor’s poor performance necessitated termination before Tinubu re-awarded the contract under a tax credit scheme.
Speaking for BUA International, the Project Manager Mohammad Rabiu, assured that the new concrete design being used would ensure longevity.
“This Ekpoma section was once a death trap. Today, people are smiling. In a few weeks, we will return to commission this project,” he assured.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), Gift Johnbull, described the project as a direct product of the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” adding that communities along the route are already feeling the impact of federal attention.
