Minister of Works David Umahi announced that the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructure Project under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is planned to span eight years. He emphasized that the President has seven more years to complete road projects across Nigeria.
Umahi made this statement in Lafia during a meeting with North Central Governors and stakeholders regarding the Federal Government’s proposed construction of the Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Apo superhighway, which will be fully funded by the Tinubu administration.
He urged, “I request that you buy into it and support Mr. President who still has about seven more years to deliver these projects. We believe that within these seven years, the three legacy projects shall be delivered.” The former Ebonyi Governor highlighted that the 477km superhighway is a legacy project of the Tinubu administration, promising significant benefits to Nigerians, especially residents of the beneficiary states, and boosting the economy.
The proposed new roads, branching off from the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, will cover 95km in Nasarawa, 111km in Kogi, 66km in Benue, and 12km in the FCT, totaling 477km. The Minister underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to completing the Lagos-Ondo-Edo-Delta-Bayelsa-Rivers-Akwa Ibom-Cross Rivers and the Sokoto-Kebbi-Niger-Kwara-Oyo-Ogun-Badagry superhighways.
Umahi remarked, “There are a lot of benefits because of these three superhighways. This is beyond road construction; it is an investment and a catalyst that is going to revive the entire economy of the country.”
He assured that all road projects would be built with reinforced concrete to last up to 50 years before requiring maintenance. “Each of these sections is going to be on reinforced concrete, with six lanes, a train track, and solar streetlights. Any road properly constructed on concrete will not need maintenance for the next 50 years,” he explained.
The Minister further informed the Governors and North Central stakeholders that the Federal Executive Council had directed that federal government projects, which have remained uncompleted for a long period, should be determined and prioritized.
Governors of the North Central geopolitical zone and other critical stakeholders, particularly from Nasarawa, Benue, and Kogi States, praised President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructure Project initiative.