Nigeria’s Minister of Works , Senator David Umahi, has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for advancing the dualisation of the Abakaliki–Afikpo–Ndibe Beach Trans-Sahara Highway, describing it as a landmark infrastructure project that will enhance transportation, boost trade and strengthen regional economic integration.
Umahi made the remarks while leading a delegation from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) on an inspection tour of the highway project in southeastern Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Emma Uzor, and made available to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the minister said the strategic road corridor, which links Ebonyi and Cross River states through Ndibe Beach in Afikpo and extends to Benue and Kogi states, would unlock significant economic opportunities for communities within Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon.
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“The project is one of the legacy infrastructure initiatives of President Tinubu’s administration. It is designed to ease transportation challenges and unlock economic opportunities across the country and beyond our borders,” Umahi said.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the project, noting that the highway would serve as a vital transport corridor for businesses, commuters and investors.
During the inspection, Umahi also reacted to reports that a private aircraft reportedly landed on a section of a concrete federal road under construction in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, after allegedly mistaking it for an airport runway.
Commenting on the incident, the minister jokingly called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to pay landing, parking and take-off charges to the Ministry of Works for the use of the road.
“I do not blame the pilot for mistaking our concrete roads for runways. However, I want to tell my brother, the Honourable Minister of Aviation, to pay us landing, parking and take-off charges for using our road as a runway,” Umahi said.
He added that the quality of roads being constructed under the current administration reflected the government’s commitment to delivering durable and long-lasting infrastructure.
“It is not our fault, nor that of President Bola Tinubu, that we are building roads that are stronger than some runways. But we would advise pilots not to land on our roads again,” he said.
Leader of the EBID delegation, Mainouna Sidibé, commended the scale of infrastructure development being undertaken in Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda and expressed the bank’s readiness to support initiatives that promote regional integration and economic growth across ECOWAS member states.
The Abakaliki–Afikpo–Ndibe Beach Trans-Sahara Highway is expected to improve mobility, facilitate trade and strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and neighbouring countries upon completion.
