Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented attention to infrastructure development in the Southeast, insisting that the zone now has “every reason to stand with the President.”

Speaking with journalists at Nine Mile Corner on Sunday after inspecting the ongoing dual carriageway project linking Nassarawa, Makurdi, and Nine Mile, Umahi said the numerous road projects being executed across the region are clear evidence that the Southeast has not been neglected.

“President Tinubu has remembered the Southeast very well, and we have no reason to complain,” Umahi said. “We need to be wise and engage based on realities, not sentiment.

“We will change the narrative in the Southeast, educate our people, and take them straight to the center, where Mr. President has already started taking us.”

He praised the quality and speed of work being delivered by China Habo, contractors handling the 264km dual carriage project, translating to 528km in total, valued at about $1 billion (₦15 trillion).

“The project is divided into five sections: sections 1, 2, and 3 are in Benue State, while sections 4 and 5 are in Enugu State. The quality of work is very encouraging. I came ready to quarrel but found nothing to complain about — instead, I commend China Habo highly,” Umahi said.

He urged the Southeast to support President Tinubu, stressing that the region has never been this well accommodated in national infrastructure development.

“This section alone is close to 200km when multiplied by two. We have every cause to thank Mr. President, support him, and be wise. Those who were there before did not do these roads, but today, God has brought a man who has remembered us,” he said.

Umahi further expressed confidence that Tinubu would complete the projects and urged Southeast residents to embrace his leadership.

“He that has started this work, God has ordained him to finish it. We will not be afraid to tell the noise-makers to be quiet. By these infrastructure projects, we are already at the center — we are no longer the last,” he declared.