The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has approved additional major road projects in the South-East region of the nation, aimed at connecting the region to other parts of the country.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on the progress of major road projects being carried out by the Federal Government across the country.
The minister said the president is making efforts to integrate all regions of the nation into infrastructure and economic development and that the continuous exclusion of any part of the country from national development would undermine efforts to build a united Nigeria.
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According to him, as part of efforts to develop the southeast region, the government is also addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges in the region through projects such as the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Second Niger Bridge access roads, Enugu-Abakaliki road and the Trans-Sahara Highway.
“In the last three days, the President also approved two major projects in the South-East.
“One is the Oba-Nnewi-Oga axis that takes us to part of Imo State. That’s Okigwe Junction. It empties on the Enugu-Port Harcourt route. It’s very, very crucial, very important.
“And then there is the one that takes off from Otuocha, Anambra, and it brings you to Kogi State, Ibaji.
The minister further urged people of the South-East to acknowledge ongoing federal infrastructure projects while continuing to demand more development from the government.
Lagos – Calabar Highway
The Minister said that on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the route from the end of Ondo State to the end of Edo State covers 104 kilometres, including the 45-kilometre Benin Bypass.
He explained that the bypass would help motorists to avoid the urban centre of Benin City, where travellers could spend up to seven hours in traffic.
“Because that is the only solution whereby you don’t have to pass through the urban centre of Benin City. Because you still experience hold-up, sometimes seven hours. So this decision is going to boost the economy of Benin City,” he said.
The minister said the Lagos-Calabar project would also connect the East-West Road and continue towards Calabar through Odukpani.
Sokoto – Badagry Highway
Umahi described the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway as the second legacy project of the Tinubu administration, saying it covered 1,068 kilometres.
Regarding the 120km section at Illela in Sokoto state of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Minister said it was 60 percent complete in spite of security challenges.
“We are battling with a lot of insecurity today, but the President is very determined,” he said.
The minister also said the Kebbi section, covering 258 kilometres, was over 40 per cent completed, while work was also progressing on the Badagry and Oyo sections.
Trans-Sahara project
Speaking on the third legacy project, the Trans-Sahara project connecting Calabar through Ebonyi, Benue and Kogi towards Owete Bridge, he said the first section of 123.5km from Ndibe Beach through Ebonyi State to the Benue boundary is about 40 per cent complete.
Mr. Umahi said that the President has also approved the second carriageway of the Trans-Sahara project, covering about 300 kilometres.
He explained that the Federal Government contributes 30 per cent of the funding in naira, while the remaining 70 per cent comes from external lenders.
“We recoup this. That’s why I say it’s investment, through tolling, through acquisition of land to build infrastructure,” he said.
Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri corridor
Speaking on the 4th legacy project, the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri road, Mr. Umahi said the 125-kilometre Akwanga-Jos section was ongoing under CGC, while the 135-kilometre Gombe-Biu section was being handled by Hi-Tech.
He said that the government was designing the Gombe-Bauchi section following the President’s approval for its procurement.
Furthermore, the Works Minister Umahi announced that contractors who have collected Federal Government funds but failed to return to project sites face demand for recovery of funds by the government.
He pointed out that the Ministry has alerted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and civil society organisations to monitor projects.
“From next week, any contractor that has their money and is not on site, we are going to call for the APG, so that we recover the money.
“If you have the money of Federal Government, no matter who is behind you, you will either meet us with EFCC or you meet us in your bank to recover the money,” he said.
He added that six Senior Special Assistants to the President have been deployed for project monitoring and supervision.
