The Democratic Front (TDF) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as a bold and visionary infrastructure drive aimed at integrating the South-East region into broader national and international trade networks through the construction of the Trans-Saharan Superhighway.
The group said the ongoing 123.6-kilometre superhighway project, estimated at N668 billion, will unlock enormous economic opportunities for the South-East by linking the region with major commercial corridors across Nigeria and beyond.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF described the project as one of the most significant infrastructural investments ever undertaken in the region.
According to the group, the highway, which traverses Ebonyi State and extends through parts of the South-South, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, will serve as a critical gateway for commerce, transportation, and regional integration.
TDF noted that while several road projects are currently ongoing in the South-East, the scale, strategic importance, and economic impact of the superhighway distinguish it as a transformative development initiative.
The group also referenced remarks by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who reportedly described the project as a colonial-era infrastructure vision that successive administrations were unable to execute due to inadequate funding and lack of political will.
Beyond its economic significance, TDF said the highway would facilitate easier interstate movement, reduce travel time, enhance trade logistics, and foster stronger social and cultural ties among communities across the connected regions.
The organisation further argued that the Tinubu administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing developmental challenges in the South-East through targeted interventions and strategic investments.
It cited the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) as a major milestone, noting that the commission was provided with an initial take-off grant of N140 billion to accelerate development and address long-standing infrastructure deficits in the region.
According to TDF, the creation and funding of the commission underscore the Federal Government’s determination to tackle issues that have persisted since the end of the Nigerian Civil War and to ensure more balanced national development.
The group observed that the South-East has consistently sought greater federal attention over the years and argued that the volume of developmental projects executed in the region under the current administration has exceeded what was achieved by previous governments.
TDF praised President Tinubu for what it described as an equitable distribution of infrastructure and development projects across the country, irrespective of political affiliations or regional considerations.
The organisation also linked the administration’s infrastructure push to its broader economic reform agenda, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, which it said have enhanced government capacity to fund major capital projects.
While acknowledging the challenges associated with ongoing economic reforms, the group maintained that the long-term benefits would include improved infrastructure, stronger economic growth, and expanded opportunities for Nigerians.
TDF therefore urged residents of the South-East to continue supporting the Tinubu administration, stressing that sustained public cooperation would help ensure the timely completion of the Trans-Saharan Superhighway and other strategic projects currently underway in the region.
According to the group, the successful completion of the highway will not only transform transportation and commerce within the South-East but also position the region as a major hub in Nigeria’s expanding trade and economic landscape.
