The APC Presidential Campaign Committee Secretary for Faith-Based Organisations (Christians), Princess Gloria Akobundu, has eulogised the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, for his outstanding performance, massive construction and reconstruction of roads across Nigeria.
In a statement, Akobundu described Umahi as a “Professor of Infrastructure” whose leadership at the Ministry of Works has transformed the nation’s road network and brought tangible development to every geopolitical zone of the country.
She particularly thanked the Minister for the reconstruction works on the First Niger Bridge, describing it as a critical project that has improved connectivity between the South-East and other parts of the country.
According to her, Umahi is effectively translating President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda into tangible and visible results both in the South-East and across Nigeria.
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Princess Akobundu noted that under Umahi’s watch, the Federal Government is currently executing about 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing road projects nationwide.
These include major dualisation works, reinforced concrete pavement highways, and strategic corridors linking different regions of the country.
Among the key projects she highlighted are 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, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, and several other federal roads spanning the South-East, North-Central, South-South and other zones.
She praised the Minister for the significant attention given to the South-East, stating that the Tinubu administration, through Umahi, is deliberately ending the long-standing infrastructure marginalisation of the region.
Projects such as the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road and the Ndibe Beach–Onueke–Ezza–Ebonyi highway, she said, are opening up communities that had suffered decades of neglect.
Akobundu emphasised that the benefits of these road projects are particularly felt by Nigerian rural women who rely on the roads for their economic activities.
Ease Transportation
She explained that improved road networks have made it easier for women farmers and traders to transport their farm produce, processed foods, and other goods from rural communities to urban markets at lower cost and with less spoilage.
“Rural women are among the greatest beneficiaries of these roads,” Akobundu stated. “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 further declared that Nigerian women, particularly South-East women, are solidly behind the Minister.
According to her, women across the country appreciate the improved road infrastructure because it eases the movement of goods to markets, reduces the cost of transportation, and enhances safety for travellers, especially women and children.
“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 stated.
Akobundu also linked the massive road construction drive to the broader economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the removal of the fuel subsidy had created the fiscal space needed for large-scale infrastructure investment.
She urged Nigerians to continue supporting the administration so that the ongoing projects can be completed and more can be initiated.
The APC chieftain called on women groups, faith-based organisations and community leaders to continue mobilising support for the Tinubu-led government and for technocrats like Umahi who are delivering results in critical sectors.
She concluded by describing Umahi as a shining example of what purposeful leadership can achieve and prayed for continued strength and wisdom for him as he drives Nigeria’s infrastructure renewal.
