By Chukwuka Ugokwe
The APC Presidential Campaign Committee Secretary for Faith-Based Organisations (Christians), Princess Gloria Akobundu, has showered encomiums on the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, for what she described as his outstanding performance in the construction and reconstruction of roads across Nigeria.
Akobundu, in a statement, described Umahi as a “Professor of Infrastructure,” crediting his leadership at the Ministry of Works with transforming the nation’s road network and driving development across the country’s geopolitical zones.
She particularly commended the minister for the reconstruction works on the First Niger Bridge, describing the project as critical to improving connectivity between the South-East and other parts of Nigeria.
According to her, Umahi is translating President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into tangible results through massive infrastructure projects across the country.
Akobundu noted that the Federal Government was executing approximately 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing road projects nationwide under Umahi’s supervision.
The projects, she said, include major highway dualisation, reinforced concrete pavement roads and strategic transport corridors connecting different regions of the country.
Among the major projects she highlighted were the reconstruction and dualisation of the Lambata–Bida–Mokwa–Makera–Kontagora Federal Highway in Niger State; the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road; the Ndibe Beach–Onueke–Ezza–Ebonyi corridor; sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway; and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.
She also praised the Federal Government for giving greater attention to the South-East, arguing that the Tinubu administration, through Umahi’s leadership, was addressing the region’s longstanding infrastructure concerns.
According to her, projects such as the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road and the Ndibe Beach–Onueke–Ezza–Ebonyi highway are improving access to communities that have endured years of inadequate road infrastructure.
Akobundu stressed that rural women were among the major beneficiaries of improved road networks, particularly farmers and traders who depend on roads to transport agricultural produce and other goods to urban markets.
She explained that better roads reduce transportation costs, minimise spoilage of farm produce and enable rural women to earn more from their businesses. They also improve access to healthcare facilities, schools and other essential services.
“Rural women are among the greatest beneficiaries of these roads. With better roads, they can take their yams, cassava, vegetables, palm oil and other produce to the market faster and cheaper.
“They spend less on transport, their goods arrive fresher, and they earn more. The roads also improve their access to healthcare facilities, schools for their children and other essential services,” she stated.
The APC chieftain declared that Nigerian women, particularly those in the South-East, were solidly behind Umahi because of the visible infrastructure projects being executed across their communities.
“Nigerian women are solidly behind Engr. David Umahi. South-East women, in particular, stand firmly with him because we can see the roads and bridges being constructed and reconstructed in our communities.
“These projects are changing lives and opening up economic opportunities for rural women who form the backbone of our local economies. He is translating President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope message into real, visible results,” she added.
Akobundu further linked the Federal Government’s infrastructure drive to President Tinubu’s broader economic reforms, noting that the removal of the fuel subsidy had created fiscal space for increased investment in infrastructure.
She urged Nigerians to continue supporting the administration to ensure the completion of ongoing projects and the initiation of additional development programmes.
The APC chieftain also called on women’s groups, faith-based organisations and community leaders to mobilise support for the Tinubu-led administration and technocrats such as Umahi, whom she said were delivering results in critical sectors.
She concluded by describing Umahi as an example of purposeful leadership and prayed for continued strength and wisdom for the minister as he pursues Nigeria’s infrastructure renewal.
Tags: David Umahi, Gloria Akobundu, Federal Roads, Renewed Hope Agenda
