The Nigerian Government has officially opened a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway in the Southeast region of the country.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, while opening the road, said it was to ease movement for the southeast people during the Easter holidays.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure across the Southeast and Nigeria in general.
While noting the importance of the road to the southeast region, the Works Minister stated that the road was an inherited project that had stalled in previous administrations.
“We inherited this road under the tax credit of MTN and executed it for them by RCC, but everything was on standstill until I went to plead with President Tinubu.
“The President didn’t only accelerate the construction of this road, but he also directed that at least 50% of it must be on concrete and like that of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
“The project was awarded before the coming of President Tinubu, but no meaningful progress was made. “We reviewed it and allowed MTN to continue with their contract sum, excluding 72KM” he said.
Umahi further provided updates on the current status of the road.
“The first 50km of reinforced concrete pavement is about 97% completed, but the President directed me to come and open the road so that the people of Southeast will not suffer during the Easter period, and that is why I am here to open the first 15km of the road,” he said.
The Minister also outlined several ongoing and completed road projects across the Southeast region of Nigeria.
“The third legacy project aims to connect the South-East to Abuja in less than four hours. A 123 km section of the project is currently underway in the region at a cost of ₦455 billion and is being constructed using reinforced concrete pavement.”
“That is not enough; we have Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe, 64km, it’s being reconstructed under the Dangote tax credit, 193b; concrete work is ongoing.
“The Aba Ikot Ekpene Road, 1 carriageway, is completed; the second one is being engaged.
“Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene is 95 percent done.
“The Umuahia-Aba road being executed by Arab contractors is 99% done.
“The Owerri-Aba road, being constructed by Arab contractors, is 70% done.
CGC is currently working on the second Niger bypass, which spans 17.5 km and includes multiple bridges and flyovers, with 30% of the 174 billion naira cost already paid.
“The Enugu-Abakaliki, 183b, 30% fully paid; that project is ongoing.
“You come to multiple sections, Enugu to Portharcourt. The first section from Enugu, being done by CGC, is 60km dualised; about 70% of that project is done. We have directed that the remaining project of about 64km should be done on concrete. That is being done by CGC, and that is 100b.
You arrive at the Setraco section, which is 99% finished. You come to the Arab contractors from Umuahia to Aba, 99% finished. In fact, we need to change the last lane in Aba to concrete.
“You come to Aba to Portharcourt; it’s being done by CCECC. One full carriageway is done; the second carriageway is redesigned to be done on concrete.
“Time will fail us to say all that the President is doing in Southeast. Owerri – Onitsha, the project is ongoing and being carried out by CGC.
“You come to one of the biggest flyovers in the country at Ekeobinagu; that project is 99% done. It’s almost 1km of flyover. You all witnessed the quality and the beauty, and it’s for the President to commission it. “ Umahi said.