Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s legacy projects will not foreclose the completion of inherited projects, Minister for Works, David Umahi has said.
The Minister gave the explanation on Wednesday in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State during the unveiling of the 477kilometre Cross River, South-East, North-East super highway to stakeholders of the state.
The road has a 101km spot that passes from Cross River State through Ebonyi State.
Umahi, who revealed that President Tinubu’s administration inherited over 2600 projects, explained that the legacy projects are not taking the place of inherited projects.
He however noted that the administration is faced with serious financial challenges which have affected its ability to carry out all the projects at the same time.
He noted that due to paucity of funds, the Federal Government will prioritise inherited projects that have reached advanced stage and complete them first.
The Minister noted that the projects when completed will have serious positive economic benefits to the people and communities.
“The road will also improve tourism in the areas and the country in general. It will lead to development of a lot of tourism sites and industries,” he said
He noted that it will have lot of agricultural benefits to farmers as they will have access road to transport their farm produce.
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, said section one and two of the project have been procured and work is seriously ongoing with a target to commission the two sections by May 2025.
He further explained that procurement for section 3 and 4 has started following President Tinubu’s directive to that effect.
On the Lagos to Sokoto section, Mr Umahi said the road will have six lanes and will be a great economic corridor as it will have numerous dams because the president is very much interested in agriculture.
Governor of the State, Francis Nwifuru, commended President Tinubu and the Minister for deeming it worthy to include the state in the project.
He pledged the support and cooperation of the state government and the people of the state towards project.