Umahi spoke in Abuja during a visit by Olatunji Disu to the Ministry of Works.
According to the minister, roads remain the backbone of security, commerce, education and national development, stressing that no country can grow properly without functional infrastructure.
“When people say, ‘Why is he borrowing?’ The president is borrowing so that our roads can be good,” Umahi said.
“Without roads, it’s difficult for the security agencies. Without roads, it’s difficult for commerce to thrive. Without roads, schools will be hindered.”
The minister explained that over 80 percent of the road projects currently ongoing across the country were inherited from past administrations, with some dating as far back as 2000, 2015 and 2017.
He revealed that the projects are valued at about ₦34 trillion and described them as critical to the economic transformation agenda of the current administration.
Umahi also highlighted major “legacy projects” under the Tinubu government, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, and the Calabar-Abuja economic corridor.
According to him, part of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has already been completed and is attracting private investors interested in tolling arrangements.
The minister further disclosed that the president approved solar lighting for the entire Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, with over 118 kilometres already completed at a cost of ₦252 billion.
On insecurity affecting some project sites, Umahi praised security agencies for helping contractors continue work in difficult areas and announced plans to install CCTV cameras, solar lights, observation centres and rest houses along major highways nationwide.
He urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s reforms and insisted that criticism should remain constructive rather than destructive.
“My prayer is that God will see the president through,” Umahi added, while also expressing confidence that Tinubu deserves another term in office.