The Federal Government has announced that two critical sections of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway located in Abia State will be commissioned before the end of the year.
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, made the disclosure on Thursday during a meeting with Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. The meeting followed his inspection tour of ongoing federal road projects in the state.
According to the minister, the two sections Umuahia to Aba and Port Harcourt to Aba “represent a major step forward in infrastructure development in the South-East.”
He stated that the Umuahia–Aba stretch, which is being handled by Arab Contractors, is “on track for inauguration in December,” while the Aba–Port Harcourt lane is expected to be ready for commissioning in November.
Umahi commended Governor Otti for his cooperation, particularly in the removal of traders and waste along the Umuahia–Aba axis, which had previously stalled construction progress.
He described the governor as “a man with a golden heart” and an example of how bipartisan collaboration can fast-track development.
The minister listed other ongoing federal projects in the South-East, including the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, and the newly awarded Afikpo Road.
He also spoke about the financial challenges the Federal Government is currently facing. According to him, the Tinubu administration inherited 2,604 federal road projects in 2023, valued at ₦13 trillion, but the total cost has since exceeded ₦20 trillion.
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Umahi noted that in view of the financial constraints, State Governments have been encouraged to take over some federal roads, although such interventions would not be reimbursed.
However, he advised that States undertaking such projects could toll the roads to recover their investments.
The minister also noted that President Tinubu is enjoying “growing support” from South-East governors, regardless of political affiliations, due to his commitment to infrastructure development in the region.
If you want me to tell you, the quantum of projects going on in the South-East is the same that is going on in all the other geopolitical zones.
“So, we have every reason as people of the South-East, irrespective of different party affiliations, to stand with this man who is standing with the South-East.
“This will help to rewrite our history and relaunch us into the mainstream of the Federal Government.
“I will beat my chest to say that all the governors of the South-East are standing with the president.
“They are standing with him because of the love he has for the South-East and based on the previous relationship they had with him.
“It is clear that nothing removes relationship not even partisan politics can remove relationship,” he said.
Umahi revealed that the president would soon visit Abia to inaugurate completed projects, including those along the Enugu–Port Harcourt corridor.
He described President Tinubu as “a man of infrastructure,” whose leadership is transforming Nigeria’s road network. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working with State Governments willing to partner on speedy project delivery nationwide.
In his response, Governor Otti said that collaboration between the state and federal governments was essential for balanced socioeconomic development.
He emphasised that development should be driven by governance rather than politics, and commended the Federal Government for supporting key infrastructure projects in Abia, including the recently completed Port Harcourt Road in Aba.
Otti stressed that the focus of road rehabilitation should be on delivering benefits to the people, regardless of which tier of government carried out the project.
He also highlighted the impact of improved infrastructure on trade, noting the appreciation expressed by freight forwarders in the state.
“They reported that goods now move from the wharf in Rivers to Aba in hours, instead of days,” he said.
