The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has warned that the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Winhomes development must not undermine the Tinubu administration’s relationship with diaspora investors.
Umahi stated this on Tuesday in an interview on Arise Television, emphasising that the federal government remains committed to protecting legitimate investments while ensuring transparency and accountability in infrastructure projects.
He addressed concerns regarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the controversial Winhomes project, responding to allegations made against him and the government and what he criticised and called damaging information, being circulated.
The former Ebonyi State Governor argued that misinformation about infrastructure costs and property disputes could create unwarranted fear among investors.
He recounted the background of the Winhomes issue in detail, citing land transactions and alleged discrepancies in the CEO’s dealings.
“We will not allow Winhomes to damage the Tinubu administration’s relations with diaspora investors.”
“The woman that is in charge of Winhomes development, from available facts before me, bought 12 hectares of land from the villagers, the natives, according to her, in 2022, and bought it, 12 hectares, for 50 million naira, not dollars, 50 million naira.
“And these investors, from what I have, because they have contacted me, two brothers bought five hectares. One person bought five hectares, that is 10 hectares already, and they are all based in Nigeria. And as of 2021, she has started selling, but the document I have says she bought this land in 2022, and only 12 hectares,” he said.
