Urgent Call for Oversight: Minister Dave Umahi’s Actions Undermine Transparency and Accountability in the Handover of Federal Road Projects in Abia State

In Nigeria, road infrastructure is categorised into federal and state responsibilities. Federal roads, known as Trunk ‘A’ roads are primarily designed for inter-state traffic and fall under the direct purview of the Federal Ministry of Works. States manage Trunk ‘B’ and other intra-state roads, while local governments handle feeder roads connecting communities.

Traditionally, the Federal Ministry of Works is tasked with the development, maintenance, and oversight of Trunk ‘A’ roads. These projects are expected to meet rigorous standards, with contracts awarded to reputable firms to ensure durability and value for money.

However, in recent years, this system has been compromised. Under dubious circumstances, the federal government has increasingly delegated its core responsibility of maintaining Trunk ‘A’ roads to state governments, while many employ substandard contractors and later apply for reimbursement. This practice not only lacks transparency but raises serious concerns about financial prudence and accountability.

Following the appointment of Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi as Minister of Works, there were high expectations for a break from past practices, particularly in the management of Trunk ‘A’ federal roads. With the huge increase in government revenue resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy, it was only reasonable to expect that the Federal Government would fully assume responsibility for maintaining its roads. The previous justification for transferring federal road projects to state governments because of lack of funds, should ordinarily, nolonger apply. Yet, disappointingly, this practice not only persists but appears to be expanding, especially in Aba State. 

Given the Abia State Government’s known tendency to inflate project costs, for example; the reconstruction of the 5.9-kilometer Port Harcourt Road in Aba, reportedly executed at an astonishing N36.5 billion (amounting to N6.18 billion per kilometer), serious concerns arise over the repeated handover of federal road projects to the state by the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Nweze Umahi. This concern is further heightened by the Minister’s own public acknowledgment that the Abia State Governor is his cousin, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the rationale behind such transfers.

If the removal of fuel subsidy has indeed freed up significant resources for all tiers of government, why then does the Federal Ministry of Works, under Minister Umahi, continue to relinquish federal responsibilities to state governments? This ongoing handover of federal road projects, particularly to the Abia State Government, gives the impression of a deliberate effort to elevate the political profile of the Labour Party Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, while downplaying the visible contributions of the APC-led Federal Government. Minister Umahi’s actions, especially given his acknowledged blood relationship with Governor Otti, raise serious questions. Is it not politically damaging for him to use his office in a way that strengthens the opposition in Abia, while weakening his own party’s presence and leaving his political party with little to show the electorate in the state,  moreso,  when Federal government is capable of doing the job faster, cheaper and better?

Apart from the political implications against the Minister’s own party, which invariably he appears to be prioritising his cousin’s political interests in Abia and totally indifferent to the damaging impact it portends to his own party’s standing, there is also concerns about transparency and accountability in costing of these projects when transferred to Abia State government. 

For example, the Ohafia–Arochukwu 35-kilometer express road, which was under an existing contract with Heartland Construction, was handed over to the Abia State Government at an undisclosed cost and awarded to a much lower grade contractors. Curiously, the project was reclassified as a 44-kilometer road, an unexplained addition of 9 kilometers to the known original length. It is also well known that former federal lawmaker Rt. Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole, who represented the Arochukwu–Ohafia Federal Constituency, had already facilitated the completion of 24 kilometers through appropriation from the Federal Ministry of Works. Rather than the Federal Government stepping in to complete the short remaining stretch, the entire project was inexplicably handed over to Governor Otti’s administration. To date, the specifics of what was transferred remain undisclosed. Work has since stalled between Obiche and Obintor, posing serious risks to road users.

The Omenuko Bridge is another federal government project whose design and approvals were already finalised by Rt. Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole before he left the House of Representatives. The project was initially valued at N1.2 billion but was later revised to N3.3 billion following inflation variation due to removal of fuel subsidy. In the 2025 budget, the bridge was further allocated N4 billion for completion. However, rather than proceeding with federal implementation, which would have brought credit to the APC-led Federal Government and President Tinubu, the Minister unexpectedly handed the project over to the Abia State Government. Since then, the original 24-meter span design has reportedly been altered and significantly reduced by the state government, while the actual cost remains undisclosed.

Additionally, the 51-kilometer Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, approved by the Federal Government at a cost of N14.37 billion under the NNPCL-funded tax credit scheme, is reportedly being handed over to the Abia State Government. Once again, the cost details and procedural transparency around this transfer remain entirely opaque.

The same concerns apply to other key projects, including the 8-kilometer Onuimo–Umuahia Tower Road, the Osisioma Junction–Ekeakpara–Owerrinta Road, and the Umuikaa–Owerrinta Bridge. Given the substantial funds now available to the Federal Government following the removal of fuel subsidy and considering the Minister’s own political party’s ongoing efforts to build massive goodwill in the South-East, it would be expected that the Minister, prioritises direct federal funding and execution of critical road projects, particularly those already at advanced stages in Abia State. Instead, these projects are being handed over to a Labour Party-led state government, which is expected to seek federal reimbursement, thereby diminishing the visibility of his political party’s contributions in the region.

While other South-East governors, regardless of political affiliation have openly expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s policies, which have increased resources available to their states, the Labour Party Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has consistently avoided acknowledging the APC-led Federal Government’s role. Instead, he attributes his administration’s progress to a so-called “Otumokpo” (secret talisman), further reinforcing the false narrative that only the Labour Party is capable of delivering results for the people.

Minister Umahi’s actions, therefore, appear not only against his political party but also counterproductive. His continued support for his cousin, the Labour Party Governor of Abia State, is actively undermining his own political party’s influence and electoral prospects in the state, while simultaneously boosting the popularity of Mr. Peter Obi’s Labour Party. Till date most Abians are not aware that Federal Government is the ultimate executioner of these projects as Abia state is going to be reimbursed the funds spent on these roads. 

There is an urgent need for transparency in the transfer of federal road projects to the Abia State Government, including full disclosure of financial terms and project scopes. Government is a continuum, and the current lack of openness surrounding these handovers is deeply concerning and must be urgently addressed.

Eric Ikwuagwu is PDP State Publicity Secretary and writes from Isuikwuato.