Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has called on the people and leaders of the South-East, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the interest of regional development and national unity.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Otti in Umuahia on Thursday, Umahi praised Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure projects in the South-East, describing them as transformative. He also lauded Otti for his contributions to federal road rehabilitation in the state, particularly the reconstruction of the Port Harcourt Road in Aba.
“We have every reason as Ndigbo and people of the South-East, irrespective of party affiliation, to stand with this man (President Tinubu) who is standing with the South-East to rewrite our history and relaunch us into the mainstream of the federal government,” Umahi said.
He commended Governor Otti’s longstanding cordial relationship with President Tinubu and noted that all South-East governors were united in support of the President.
During the visit, which followed an unscheduled inspection of ongoing federal projects in the state, Umahi praised the quality and scope of work executed by the state government, calling the transformation of Port Harcourt Road “mind-blowing.”
“I didn’t want to tell you I was coming. I went around on my own, and I want to say I’m very proud of what you are doing for Abia people. Not just the volume of projects but their quality,” the Minister said.
He further appealed to Governor Otti to consider intervening in the rehabilitation of the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway carriageway, suggesting that the same contractor currently handling other works could be engaged for consistency and speed.
In response, Governor Otti reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with the federal government, regardless of political affiliations, to ensure the timely delivery of people-oriented infrastructure.
“I want to reassure you that we will work with the Federal Government and ensure that we work together collaboratively for the benefit of our people,” Otti stated. “When those roads are done, the credit goes to the government—whether federal or state. What matters is the benefit to the people.”
The governor also directed the state’s Commissioner for Works to assess the Enugu–Port Harcourt carriageway for possible state intervention.
