Onoh Praises Umahi as Best-Performing Minister in Tinubu's Cabinet
Josef Onoh, the former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, has declared Minister of Works Dave Umahi as the most outstanding member of the current Federal Executive Council. Onoh made this statement following a comprehensive two-day inspection tour of ongoing federal infrastructure projects across the South-East region, which included a detailed visit to the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.
Unprecedented Impact Since Appointment
According to Onoh, Umahi's appointment in August 2023 has delivered unprecedented benefits to the South-East, describing it as the most impactful development for the region since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999 and even since the end of the civil war. He emphasized that Umahi, a trained civil engineer and Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, has brought exceptional technical expertise, hands-on supervision, and an unwavering commitment to quality infrastructure delivery to the Ministry of Works.
"What truly sets him apart is his philosophy of building to last," Onoh stated, highlighting the minister's innovative introduction of reinforced concrete pavement technology as a superior alternative to conventional asphalt roads. He explained that this groundbreaking innovation is expected to produce roads with lifespans between 50 and 100 years, dramatically reducing maintenance costs while addressing Nigeria's persistent infrastructure decay challenges.
Transforming South-East Infrastructure Landscape
Onoh further elaborated that Minister Umahi has deliberately prioritized the South-East region, effectively reversing years of perceived neglect through extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of key federal highways. He cited major transformative projects including:
- The Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, where reconstructed sections have already been opened to traffic
- The Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, where significant progress has been recorded with completion targeted before 2026
- The Enugu–Ebonyi Road, valued at ₦180 billion
- The Enugu–Benue highway, forming part of a broader ₦1.5 trillion economic corridor
He added that strategic routes linking Owerri and Onitsha are also advancing steadily, while ongoing work on major infrastructure corridors including sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway aims to improve trade, reduce travel time, and strengthen regional connectivity.
Building on Gubernatorial Legacy
Onoh noted that Umahi's achievements as minister build substantially on his impressive record as Governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023. During his gubernatorial tenure, Umahi reportedly constructed over 1,500 kilometres of concrete roads, more than 20 flyovers, and major projects including the Ebonyi State International Airport and the Abakaliki Ring Road.
The former lawmaker argued that the ongoing infrastructure drive in the South-East is helping to reshape perceptions of the Tinubu administration in the region by directly addressing long-standing concerns over marginalization. "The South-East is now a major construction hub with visible federal presence," Onoh declared, adding that these projects will enhance trade, improve safety, create substantial employment opportunities, and serve as lasting evidence of inclusive governance.
Setting New Standards for Public Projects
Onoh also commended Umahi for implementing strict quality control measures on all projects, noting that his frequent site inspections and firm rejection of substandard work have established a new benchmark for public sector project delivery in Nigeria. He emphasized that these developments are expected to foster greater trust and goodwill toward the Federal Government while simultaneously strengthening regional integration and accelerating economic growth across the nation.
