No serious Govt saves money while roads collapse’ — Umahi defends Tinubu’s infrastructure spending

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has defended the Federal Government’s decision to prioritise infrastructure development over accumulating financial reserves, saying strategic investments are essential for economic growth and improving citizens’ living standards.

Umahi spoke on Monday while inspecting ongoing construction work on the Calabar–Abuja Super Highway at the Ebonyi-Benue boundary.

The minister argued that no responsible government would focus on saving funds while critical infrastructure remains inadequate and citizens continue to experience economic difficulties.

He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to transforming the economy through large-scale investments in road construction and rehabilitation projects across the country.

“Infrastructure development is a catalyst for economic growth and increased GDP. That is exactly what President Tinubu is doing,” Umahi said.

According to him, the administration inherited a poor road network but has launched an extensive programme to rebuild, expand and modernise federal highways nationwide.

Umahi said the progress recorded on major road projects has helped address concerns over the state of federal roads, noting that ongoing construction activities across the country demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure.

On the Calabar–Abuja Super Highway, the minister revealed that work is advancing simultaneously along different sections of the route to ensure its completion within schedule.

He explained that the highway, which links Calabar through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states to Abuja, would boost economic activities and improve connectivity between the South-South, South-East and the Federal Capital Territory.

Umahi said the project would reduce travel time significantly, allowing commuters from the South-South region to reach Abuja in about six hours, while travellers from Ebonyi and other South-East states could complete the journey in roughly three hours.

He added that the construction of bypasses and bridges along the route would help reduce congestion, improve road safety and promote interstate trade and commerce.