Former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Josef Onoh, has described the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, as the best-performing member of the current Federal Executive Council.

Onoh remarked in a statement issued to journalists in Enugu following a two-day inspection tour of ongoing federal infrastructure projects across the South-East, which included a visit to the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.

According to him, Umahi’s appointment in August 2023 has delivered unprecedented benefits to the region, describing it as the most impactful for the South-East since the return of democracy in 1999 and even since the end of the civil war.

He noted that Umahi, a trained civil engineer and Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, has brought technical expertise, hands-on supervision, and a strong commitment to quality infrastructure delivery to the Ministry of Works.

“What sets him apart is his philosophy of building to last,” Onoh said, highlighting the minister’s introduction of reinforced concrete pavement technology as an alternative to conventional asphalt roads.

He explained that the innovation is expected to produce roads that can last between 50 and 100 years, significantly reducing maintenance costs and addressing persistent infrastructure decay in the country.

Onoh further stated that the minister has prioritised the South-East, reversing years of perceived neglect through the rehabilitation and reconstruction of key federal highways.

He cited major projects such as the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, where reconstructed sections have already been opened to traffic, and the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, where significant progress has been recorded, with completion targeted before 2026.

Other projects include the Enugu–Ebonyi Road, valued at ₦180 billion, and the Enugu–Benue highway, part of a broader ₦1.5 trillion economic corridor. He added that strategic routes linking Owerri and Onitsha are also advancing steadily.

Onoh also highlighted ongoing work on major infrastructure corridors, including sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, aimed at improving trade, reducing travel time, and strengthening regional connectivity.

He pointed to improvements in bridge and access infrastructure, particularly road networks linked to the Second Niger Bridge, noting that these developments are enhancing economic integration across regions.

Onoh said Umahi’s achievements as minister build on his record as Governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023, during which he reportedly constructed over 1,500 kilometres of concrete roads, more than 20 flyovers, as well as major projects such as the Ebonyi State International Airport and the Abakaliki Ring Road.

He argued that the ongoing infrastructure drive in the South-East is helping to reshape perceptions of the Tinubu administration in the region by addressing long-standing concerns over marginalisation.

“The South-East is now a major construction hub with visible federal presence,” Onoh said, adding that the projects will enhance trade, improve safety, create jobs, and serve as lasting evidence of inclusive governance.

He further stated that the developments are expected to foster trust and goodwill toward the Federal Government while strengthening regional integration and economic growth.

Onoh also commended Umahi for strict quality control on projects, noting that his frequent site inspections and rejection of substandard work have set a new benchmark for public sector project delivery.