Tinubu reviving long-abandoned South-East road projects, says Umahi
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said that several major road projects in Nigeria’s South-East, originally conceived during the colonial era but left unrealised for decades, are now being implemented under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister made the remarks during a tour of federal infrastructure projects in Ebonyi State on Saturday. The details were contained in a statement signed by Tunde Rahman, Director of Media and Publicity, Renewed Hope Ambassadors, and made available to journalists on Sunday.
Speaking during a tour of federal infrastructure projects in Ebonyi State on Saturday, Umahi described the ongoing Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway as a strategic project that would boost economic activities across the South-East, South-South and North-Central regions.
According to the minister, the highway project, which he described as a “colonial-era dream,” has been revived by the Tinubu administration and construction is progressing steadily.
Umahi disclosed that Section One of the project, initially designed as a 118-kilometre stretch but later extended to 123.6 kilometres, is being executed at a cost of ₦45 billion, while dualisation works are ongoing. He added that Section Two, running from the Aboadi border through Benue and Kogi states to Nasarawa State, has been awarded for ₦668 billion.
The minister said some sections of the project have reached about 28 per cent completion despite the rainy season, attributing the progress to the use of concrete pavement technology.
He said the highway would serve as an investment corridor, facilitating the movement of agricultural products such as cassava, yam, cashew and palm oil from Cross River, Benue and Ebonyi states while strengthening trade links with neighbouring Cameroon.
Umahi also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as greater inclusion of the South-East in federal infrastructure development.
During the inspection tour, the minister, accompanied by officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and project contractors, assessed critical bridges and road sections under construction, including the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The bridge, which connects communities in Ebonyi and Cross River states, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The delegation also inspected the Onueke Flyover project in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District. Umahi said the ₦35 billion flyover is intended to ease traffic congestion along the highway corridor.
Meanwhile, Governor Francis Nwifuru said Ebonyi remains one of the safest states in the country, claiming there had been no reported kidnapping incidents since he assumed office.
Speaking while receiving the visiting media team in Abakaliki, Nwifuru commended the federal government for ongoing infrastructure projects in the state and highlighted his administration’s investments in rural roads, primary healthcare centres and water supply schemes.
