Ohanaeze Opens Up: Appointment of David Umahi as Minister of Works, has repositioned the South - East towards partnership with FG

Zenith Igbo socio - cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, says the appointment of immediate past Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi as the Ministry of Works, has repositioned the South - East towards a new and fruitful partnership with the Federal Government.

Secretary - General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who made the declaration in an electronic statement sent to Fresh Angle International this afternoon, Sunday August 18, said the body was confident that the achievements of Senator Umahi, will unlock the support and cooperation of the Igbo people towards building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.                                

He asserted: "The decision to assign such a crucial portfolio in President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to an Igbo man has not only been a game-changer but has also repositioned the South-East towards a new and fruitful partnership with the Federal Government.

"Before the swearing-in of Senator Umahi on 21st August 2023, there were widespread concerns and public outcry over the minimal ministerial positions allocated to the South-East region. However, President Tinubu's strategic move to appoint an Igbo as the Minister of Works has significantly shifted the narrative and instilled a sense of inclusivity and representation for the Igbo people.

"The ongoing infrastructural development in the South-East, spearheaded by Senator Umahi, through the construction and rehabilitation of multiple federal highways that were long neglected, has not gone unnoticed. Projects such as the Makurdi-Nsukka-Ninth Nile-Enugu Expressway, Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and Calabar-Abakiliki-Benue-Abuja Superhighway, the Enugu - Abakiliki - Ogoja - Cameroon International Highway, among others, are a testament to President Tinubu's genuine commitment to the development of the South-East.

"The significant progress made in the South-East under the leadership of Senator Umahi as the Minister of Works has not only addressed the longstanding infrastructural challenges in the region but has also fostered a renewed sense of hope and unity among the people. The support shown by the Igbo people towards President Tinubu during the recent Hunger Protests is just a glimpse of the immense support that he can expect from the South-East in the future.

"Moreover, as a patriot, Umahi has ensured that the wind of the Renewed Hope Infrastructural Development Plan blows across Nigeria's six regions simultaneously by the construction of Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects to connect the six regions effectively, thereby opening up new corridors of economic enterprise and prosperity.That is why there has been no cries of marginalization levelled against him. The Akwanga -Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Highway conceived by him is one such example. 

"President Tinubu's Road Infrastructural Masterplan is very strategic for economic stimulation, especially in response to current economic challenges.

"OHANAEZE NDIGBO, commends the level of patriotism, dedication, innovative policies, and professionalism exhibited by Senator Umahi in his role as the Minister of Works. His unwavering commitment to President Tinubu's vision for a better Nigeria, as evidenced by his involvement in key projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Super Highway and the Sokoto-Lagos Super Highways, is truly commendable.

"This is what happens when you have a square peg in a square hole. For the first step in several decades, an engineer, not just an engineer but a Civil Engineer with over three decades experience in the industry was appointed Minister of Works.               

"For the first time, we see a Minister of Works who toured all Federal Highway, immediately after his assumption of office, so as to "see things for himself". Again, for the first time, we see a Minister of Works, who as a seasoned COREN certified engineer and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), shares ideas with and coordinates projects with his professional colleagues unlike the past where non - Engineer Ministers of Works relied solely on what the engineers told them.

"Ohanaeze Ndigbo assures President Tinubu that Senator Umahi's dedication to delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians through the enhancement of inter and intra-state federal road networks will remain a top priority.                            

"The South-East is grateful for the opportunity given to an Igbo man to serve as the Minister of Works, and we believe that this appointment has opened the doors for a credible partnership between the Southeast and the APC-led Federal Government.

"We urge Umahi to be intentional regarding the opening up of the long abandoned Eastern Economic Corridor through the design and construction of a Calabar -Abakaliki - Jos - Maiduguri superhighway since that is a sure way of unlocking the economic potentials of Nigeria's Eastern flank, in line with Mr President's Renewed Hope Agenda. It will also help to curb insecurity since a good road network reduces 'Ungoverned Spaces' and enhances the speed of response of security forces to threats.

"Ohanaeze Ndigbo is confident that the achievements of Senator Umahi as the Minister of Works will continue to unlock the support and cooperation of the Igbo people towards building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria. We look forward to further collaborations and advancements under the leadership of President Tinubu for the betterment of our nation."

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