The Federal Government has opened the first completed sections of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, a major infrastructure project valued at over ₦350 billion, with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, crediting the progress to the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during event on Thursday at Ngwo along Enugu-Onitsha road, Umahi described the development as a significant milestone in the ongoing reconstruction of one of the Southeast’s most critical transport corridors. He noted that the newly opened sections would immediately ease traffic flow, particularly during the Easter travel period.
The minister recalled that the Enugu–Onitsha road had been in a deplorable state for years, with commuters previously spending up to seven hours on a journey that should take far less time. According to him, despite being awarded before 2023, the project suffered prolonged delays and was largely abandoned for about eight years.
Umahi explained that the project was initially executed under a tax credit scheme involving private sector participation but stalled until the current administration intervened. He said President Tinubu ordered an acceleration of the works and approved a redesign of key sections to improve durability.
As part of the review, the government retained elements of the original ₦202 billion contract while carving out a 72-kilometre stretch for reconstruction using reinforced concrete pavement at a cost of about ₦150 billion.
The minister emphasized that the adoption of concrete technology would significantly extend the lifespan of the road.
He disclosed that the first 15 kilometres of the reinforced concrete section is about 97 percent completed and has now been opened to traffic. Additional sections, including an 18-kilometre stretch towards Anambra State and a 39-kilometre segment near the Niger Bridge axis, are currently under construction.
Umahi added that contractors handling remaining asphalt portions have been directed to switch to reinforced concrete, noting that concrete roads can last between 50 and 100 years with minimal maintenance compared to asphalt.
Upon completion, he said, at least half of the entire highway will be constructed with reinforced concrete, reducing long-term maintenance costs and improving safety for road users.
Beyond the Enugu–Onitsha project, the minister highlighted ongoing federal infrastructure efforts across the Southeast, including works on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, the dualization of the Enugu–Abakaliki road, and reconstruction projects on the Afikpo–Abia–Okigwe corridor and Aba–Port Harcourt road.
He also pointed to the construction of access roads and interchanges linked to the Second Niger Bridge, as well as the rehabilitation of previously collapsed bridges along the Enugu–Onitsha axis, many of which are now fitted with solar-powered lighting.
Addressing concerns about alleged abandoned projects, Umahi insisted that multiple works are progressing steadily across the region and urged the public to verify information through site visits.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the Enugu–Onitsha road by 2026, expressing confidence that the project would transform transportation, enhance safety, and stimulate economic growth in the Southeast.
“This project will change the story of transportation in the Southeast,” the minister said. “What has been opened today is just the beginning.”
