The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed delight that road infrastructure has helped to accelerate economic recovery across the six geo-political zones in the country.

According to him, the improvements are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, including his policy direction aimed at stabilising and strengthening the economy.

Umahi also stated that there will be strategic collaboration in project monitoring to foster a feedback mechanism in terms of road project delivery management.

The minister asserted this when he played host to the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

At the meeting, Umahi spoke of plans to make the country self-sufficient in the world of economic uncertainties.

He said, “There are a lot of improvements in our economy. We will always say that Mr. President inherited an economy that was lacking oxygen and was in shock. He came and put oxygen, now it’s accelerating and promising.

“Mr. President has unveiled a policy on local content because jobs that our people are supposed to be doing, we can’t give them to outsiders. He directed that local materials that could be locally sourced cannot be imported.”

Explaining further, Umahi maintained that there is a huge intervention on road infrastructure, adding that government understands that the road sector, the bridge sector, and the infrastructural sector are the catalyst that grows the gross domestic product, which every other sector will grow from.”

He therefore thanked the forum, the National Chairman and the National Working Committee of APC, as well as the governors for their support to the progressive economic reforms ,noting that road project delivery policy will guarantee active citizenship participation and consensus building.

Earlier, the spokesman and Chairman of APC Cross River State, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, thanked President Tinubu for his illuminating stewardship in the works sector, saying, it would speak for him at the time of his re-election in 2027.

He praised the profound passion, the intellectual capacity and the professional sagacity and dexterity of the minister of works which has added great impetus to the transformation witnessed in the road sector of the economy.

He said, “This is a visit of thanksgiving to the Honourable Minister and his very supportive Minister of State, and all the directors that have been giving support to the success stories. If we remain in our respective states, we’ll write a long letter and send it to you. People will not know about it.We have come to seek partnership with you.

“We are ready in the field. We have done our political evangelism and are prepared for the re-election of Mr. President. The partnership we seek today is to say we want to become volunteers who will be helping to supervise your projects.

“We have always been trying to get to sites. When we are not satisfied with the contractors, we take immediate action. Your Excellency, we want to be the catalyst towards those actions.”

In a vote of thanks, the Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, described Umahi as a patriotic professional with deep expertise in the road sector, saying ,he is so knowledgeable and committed to nation-building.

He also thanked the APC Forum for their warm visit, encouraging party chairmen across the states to continue supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that their presence is not just a show of solidarity but a testament to a shared commitment to building a stronger infrastructure base.