Umahi orders contractors to halt demolition along Calabar-Abuja superhighway

By Onu Okorie

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has directed contractors handling the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway to refrain from demolishing or touching any building along the current project alignment pending a review and possible realignment of the route by the Federal Government.
Umahi gave the directive on Friday, September 23, 2026, during an inspection of Section Two of the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway at Ado, Benue State, where he also reviewed the progress of construction and directed contractors to intensify work on the project.
According to the minister, Section Two covers 173 kilometres and is valued at ₦683 billion, while Section One has a contract value of ₦454 billion.
He said the contractor handling Section Two had opened the first element of the initial eight-kilometre stretch, while efforts were underway to resolve the engineering challenges associated with the Ado Bridge.
Umahi said he had directed the contractor to open another section from the Ado River while engineers worked on the best technical solution for crossing the bridge.
“I do not believe in engineering that anything is impossible,” he said.
The minister further directed the contractor to open at least three sections of the first element of Section Two simultaneously to accelerate construction. He said he would engage the project manager on site to agree on the technical and practical measures required.
Umahi commended the contractor for the progress recorded since his previous inspection.
“From the last time we were here until now, he has done very well, and I’m very proud of what he’s doing,” he said.
No Building to Be Demolished
The minister, however, issued a firm directive concerning buildings located along the current alignment, saying the human impact of the project must be taken into consideration.
“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,” Umahi said.
He also ordered contractors to strengthen sharp curves along the highway, regardless of what may have been contained in the original design.
According to him, major infrastructure projects require experienced professionals because engineering conditions on the ground can necessitate adjustments to initial designs.
Umahi explained that the project was being executed under an EPC Plus Finance arrangement, under which variations are not provided for. He therefore urged the project team to carefully manage quantities and available resources without imposing additional costs on the Federal Government.
He also highlighted additional works being carried out under Section One, including the dualisation of the road at Onueke, which he said was not part of the initial scope, as well as the dualisation at Chainage 0 around Ndibe Beach.
Minister Defends Tinubu’s Infrastructure Programme
After the inspection, Umahi defended the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly projects in the Southeast.
He rejected claims circulating on social media that he had concentrated Federal Government projects in the Southeast.
“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.
Umahi stressed that the infrastructure programme was not his personal initiative but part of the Federal Government’s broader development agenda.
“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.
He said the Southeast was receiving infrastructure attention as part of the national distribution of projects. While the region might not be first, second or third in infrastructure development under the Tinubu administration, he said, “definitely they will not be the last.”
The minister also rejected suggestions of a political “rainbow coalition” involving him and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike in Ebonyi State.
“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,” Umahi said.
He reiterated his criticism of the Peoples Democratic Party, saying he left the party because he believed it had failed to adequately recognise and address 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 said he remained committed to the All Progressives Congress and its candidates in Ebonyi, while maintaining that political opponents were free to campaign in the state 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.
Umahi Defends Infrastructure Spending
The minister said Nigerians should assess the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure programme based on projects already being executed rather than campaign promises about what might be done in the future.
“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.
He cited the Ebonyi State ring road as an example of infrastructure investment with long-term economic value.
Umahi recalled that while serving as governor of Ebonyi State, the government borrowed $150 million to construct 199 kilometres of the ring road, arguing that constructing a similar project at today’s prices would cost substantially more.
Responding to arguments concerning savings by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Umahi said, “You can’t save food where the people are hungry,” arguing that infrastructure investment creates assets capable of supporting economic activity and improving connectivity.
He disclosed that the four legacy infrastructure projects of the Tinubu administration were being financed through a combination of Federal Government funding and foreign financing, with 30 per cent funded in naira by the Federal Government and 70 per cent through foreign financing.
The minister also rejected suggestions that the administration had abandoned existing roads in favour of new projects, explaining that several of the legacy projects involve the expansion and reconstruction of existing road corridors.
“I’m very proud of what the President is doing,” Umahi said. “I’m very proud that we continue to educate our people to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Southeast and all over the country, so that he can anchor most of these projects he has started.”
Umahi Explains Criticism of Peter Obi
Responding to questions about his criticism of Peter Obi, Umahi said his concerns 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 respective tenures as governors and said both had attended meetings of the Southeast Governors’ Forum when Obi served as chairman.
Umahi said political promises should be assessed against previous records and measurable achievements rather than campaign declarations alone.
“If the past outing you cannot have something to verify, then you cannot be assured of the promises of the second time,” he said.
On 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. I believe he’s the best person that I have worked with and for, and I’m very proud of working for him and working with him,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of continuity in major infrastructure projects, saying changes in administration could affect projects requiring 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.
Minister Addresses Son’s Council Nomination
Umahi also addressed questions concerning his son, who was nominated 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 instructed his son to uphold transparency, honesty and prudent management of public funds.
According to Umahi, his son had promised not to collect salary or allowances from the position.
He also advised him to ensure equitable development across all 11 wards in Ohaozara rather than favouring their 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.
Umahi said the governor’s decision to nominate his son was personally significant to him, adding that he viewed it as an indication of the governor’s appreciation of their relationship and the contributions of the previous administration.
On the political situation in Ebonyi, the minister reiterated that political actors were free to campaign in the state but warned against attempts to cause unrest.
“Nobody can foment crisis in Ebonyi State,” Umahi said.