By Comrade Williams Smith, reporting from Abuja
David Umahi was governor of Ebonyi State for eight years and from all indications, he did not perform badly. But then, that may not be the correct assessment of the hardworking former governor now Minister of Works of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At the time he was on seat, Ebonyi State received such a facelift that left passers-by wondering. An engineer by profession, David Umahi left no one in doubt about his mission and target: he was out to develop that little unrecognized landlocked State. And he did exactly that, building and constructing flyover bridges and brand-new highways.
When it was time to exit, and he decided to support President Bola Tinubu, the question on the lips of many was whether he should have taken a bow and given others a chance. But the engineer stuck to his guns and helped Tinubu to the presidency. When he was named the new Minister for Works, not many people expected the kind of phenomenal success that is spreading. Only a few months now David Umahi has expertly separated himself from the crowd of “formers” officeholders who merely came to play politics and left motorists and commuters in unbearable pain and misery. The last officeholder taught Nigerians a bitter lesson; he was not only cruel but disappointing. For eight years, he ruled by newspaper advertisements and radio announcements. So bad was his administration that Nigerians groaned for days while traveling; no mercy was shown even to those nearer home like the Abuja Lokoja and Okene highway which became a cauldron for sudden deaths.
Then, all pleas by motorists for the government to fix roads fell on deaf ears; at last, a certain David Umahi busted into the scene. Today, that very killing field called the Abuja Lokoja and Okene expressway is receiving attention. Not only that, the inglorious Warri-Port Harcourt highway, for long, the shame of the nation is fast becoming a paradise; the Waari-Sapele-Benin highway that was also left to rot is also getting the right attention. The biggest development perhaps is the Benin-Auchi-Okpella highway abandoned since 1999! How on earth should this disgrace be allowed? And David Umahi has hardly spent eight months in office! What about the 3rd mainland bridge repairs which the previous administration used as ATMs and POS?
What about the so-called 2nd Niger bridge constructed not with any safety measures in place? President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has every reason to give thanks to God for people like David Umahi. Just watching him on television elicits hope amidst despair foisted on Nigerians by the previous administration. David Umahi has come to redefine the standards of living; he has come not to play politics but to work. People like him are rare to come by—not in present-day Nigeria where officials think it is their birthright to steal government funds. Nigerians can now heave a sigh of relief and travel in comfort. David Umahi is a real hero and an exemplary character in this Tinubu Administration. He has put to shame the antics and heroics of past Works ministers who elected to serve their private pockets. What else can Nigerians ask for other than good governance?
