N248bn Ebonyi roads: Oluchukwu accuses Nwifuru, Umahi of failure, urges Tinubu to halt funding
A public affairs analyst, Paschal Oluchukwu, has called on the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to reconsider the proposed allocation of an additional N248 billion for road infrastructure development in Ebonyi State.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Oluchukwu criticized both Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru and Minister of Works David Umahi for failing to meet the expectations of the state’s residents. His comments came after President Tinubu and his campaign team visited Ebonyi for a re-election rally on Monday.
During the rally, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced plans for increased infrastructure funding for the state, which would include the dualization of the Enugu–Abakaliki–Ogoja Road, enhancements to the Onueke–Ezza corridor, and upgrades to the Okposi–Amasiri Road.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of road projects and federal interventions in Ebonyi, Oluchukwu expressed significant concerns regarding accountability in fund utilization. He noted that Governor Nwifuru has not completed any projects in nearly four years, while Minister Umahi has faced allegations of opacity in managing federal projects within the state.
Oluchukwu also refuted claims made by Nwifuru and Umahi during the rally that Ebonyi was thriving with infrastructure projects, arguing that the state continues to suffer from insufficient development despite their assertions.
