By Dele Ogbodo
Few months after he was given the mantle of leadership as the Minister in the Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. David Umahi, former Governor of Ebonyi State who is better known as the Transformation-Governor and unarguably one of Nigeria’s most hard working, patriotic and visible Ministers in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration has hit the ground running and he has indeed remained resiliently unstoppable.
Evidently as is shown on various TV Channels and other media outlets, Engr. Umahi, it is no wonder that the amiable Minister is ‘seen more’ often in several places at the same time patriotically working zealously through day and night, traversing hamlets, villages, towns and cities all in the bid to ensure that Nigerian road and bridges should no longer be described as death trap.
Indeed, the emergence of Engr. Umahi, has witnessed revolutionary paradigm and tectonic shift in the country’s construction landscape. For contractors, who have been doing shoddy works and jobs, it is no longer business as usual as Engr. Umahi, the new Sheriff has come to town. Nigeria in the final analysis will be better for it. To the surprise of all and in positively curios development debt owed contractors were settled causing contractors to return to site without delay.
Since mounting the saddle as Works Minister, associated man-made disasters that have accompanied Nigeria’s failed bridges and road sector is being practically and pragmatically addressed and reversed for the benefit of Nigerians and generations to come.
As a professional Engineer of repute that spans decades, his innovative and creative introduction of concrete technology for road construction rather than the use of asphalt remains a steep departure from old norm which has impoverished and caused pains to Nigerians and government.
This bold initiative of the Minister to emplace a lasting legacy in service of his fatherland has been widely applauded across the country and resonated beyond the shores of Nigeria.
This is as according to road experts who averred that concrete road has durability and can last for over 50 years, its cost saving and gives value for money which stems from the use of local content materials.
The Minister has brought to fore as never seen before now, the fear of GOD, hard work, team work within the Ministry officials and synergy with contractors. These are rare virtues that poignantly drives the passion of the Engr. Umahi to perform.
Engr. Umahi’s footprints is often seeing traversing Lagos, Enugu, Calabar, Delta, Kaduna, Kano, Benin, ASABA and Abuja to mention just a few these few months all in his avowed bid to ensure that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) is brought to fulfilment and that it positively impact on Nigerians.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the energetic Minister goes to work very early in the morning and retires home very late in the night thus setting the right example for Ministry staff to follow.
Here is one Minister of the Federal Republic who goes to work even on weekends.
Reporters who cover the Ministry have expressed optimism that baring any foreseeable financial challenge, Engr. Umahi, has started an unstoppable revolution in Nigeria’s hitherto sad road infrastructure narrative that generations yet unborn will applaud and remember him for.
As Contractors, staff of the Ministry and Stakeholders have witnessed the new touch of hope that is emerging in the land through the patriotic and transparent display of integrity by Engr. Umahi, it is indeed gladdening to see the new dawn that breaking forth in Nigeria’s road infrastructure sector.
