The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has announced that Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has reached 70 per cent completion.
He also revealed a new partnership with the Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen to enhance supervision of road projects nationwide.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the APC State Chairmen from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Umahi directed the party leaders to take an active role in monitoring road construction within their respective states.
He said, despite criticism, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly subsidy removal and naira floatation, saved the economy from collapse.
He said, “Section one of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway has reached 70 per cent completion. In fact, we command international respect because of the great work that the president is doing.
“So, we have to, as APC governors in government, have put our heads very, very high because of the kind of president that God has brought to lead an economy that was in shock.
“So I want to invite you, you know, to be partners, and I think we are going to form a WhatsApp group. If you will, I’m going to start. I want you to come. I want you to come.
“Because I will command the contractors, if it is sharp sand, our members can give, and you will now begin to checkmate the quality and the speed of work in your cities. Because this is what we are bringing up for our campaign.”
“So, we’ll work with you, and I give you the authority to move to the sites; you are in charge. If you see any job that is not being done properly, I give you my authority to stop the job. You are going to have a WhatsApp platform with me and them to report.”
Commenting on the 2027 campaign, he said, “Having been in this position, you know, like you rightly said, I think we need to work together. We need to work together. You see, during a, you know, campaign, the changes are needed.
“But most of the time, they are cash-trapped, you know, to do all that they need to do. Because it’s not a working campaign that really matters. It is the in-depth campaign, door to door, you know, that matters.
“And I think together with the stakeholders, we have to support you and work with you to deliver to the people all the great work that you are doing.”
He commended President Tinubu’s economic reform policies, saying his bold policies on subsidy removal and naira floatation saved the country.
“When people criticise fuel subsidy removal, you know, and we came at a time that the ugly effect of the Naira we redesigned brought a lot of hardship for the people.
“But with the floating of the Naira, the president has been able to stabilise the economy. When he came on board, you see the way the economy of Naira, you know, is today. We have a stable Naira”, he said.
On his part, the leader of the delegation and APC Chairman for Cross River State, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba, praised Umahi’s efforts in the road sector, describing them as critical to the party’s future electoral success.
“You’ve contributed 80 per cent to what will make the president win reelection in 2027,” Eba stated.
He pledged the forum’s voluntary support in monitoring ongoing road projects.
