Nigerian Government Intensifies Road Infrastructure Development In Niger Delta

President Bola Tinubu has approved the re-award of two bypasses of the 2nd Niger Bridge linking the Asaba-Benin and Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageways to address the road infrastructure deficit in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region.

President Tinubu also approved the commencement of work on Section III of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on the Cross River- Akwa Ibom axis of the superhighway and for the East-West Road to be given accelerated attention.

The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, made this statement during a courtesy visit by the South-South Caucus of the Federal House of Representatives at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Umahi emphasised that for the administration to successfully implement its agenda of improving road infrastructure in the South-South region, President Tinubu would require a second term in office.

He said; “We will finish the Lagos-Calabar 700 kilometres, and with your support and of course, by God’s special grace, the miracle of the second tenure will still come to pass, and so we have time to get this project fully completed. I have no apologies when I speak that we need time to get this project completed because he that has started this good work, God will give him time to finish it, and it will be a catalyst for economic growth.” 

The Minister disclosed that the President has directed that non-performing contract on federal roads be terminated.

He further listed out some road projects in the region that are getting the needed attention for completion.

Umahi said; “the Federal Executive Council just re‐awarded three sections of East-West road. On Eleme- Onne road, we have agreed to commit RCC Ltd within the first carriageway of 15 kilometers, including one bridge and one flyover. But for us to get this road completed by December, as it should be,we must definitely need to engage two extra contractors. On, Agbor route, we’ve sent the document. It’s going to be done on PPP. And so we’ve sent the amount to BPP. We will hopefully get approval by next week. And then we’ll call you so that we can do a groundbreaking ceremony.”

The leader of the delegation from the National Assembly, Mr. Agbedi Frederick, noted that even with ongoing work on some roads in the Niger-Delta, the work is slow and the road connectivity between states and other regions is poor.

The Minister of State for Works, Mr. Bello Goronyo, called on lawmakers and Nigerians to support the government’s efforts in achieving the goal of providing better roads.

Mercy Chukwudiebere