Federal Government To Inaugurate Parts Of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway

The Federal Government announced that two critical sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia will be commissioned before the year ends.

During a Thursday meeting with Abia Governor Alex Otti in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, after inspecting ongoing federal road projects in the state, the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, shared this update.

He noted that the Umuahia to Aba and Port Harcourt to Aba sections of the expressway “represent a major step forward in infrastructure development in the South-East.”

According to Umahi, the Umuahia to Aba section, managed by Arab Contractors, is “on track for inauguration in December.”

He further stated that the Aba to Port Harcourt lane is scheduled for commissioning in November.

Umahi commended Otti for his support in clearing traders and waste along the Umuahia–Aba route, which had previously hindered progress.

He described the governor as “a man with a golden heart” and a model for non-partisan collaboration to drive development.

Umahi listed ongoing federal projects in the South-East, including the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, and the recently awarded Afikpo Road.

He also addressed the Federal Government’s funding constraints, noting that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration inherited 2,604 federal road projects valued at ₦13 trillion in 2023, with costs now exceeding ₦20 trillion.

Umahi explained that State Governments were encouraged to take over certain federal roads without reimbursement.

He advised states to toll rehabilitated federal roads to recover their investments.

Umahi highlighted that President Tinubu enjoys “growing support” from South-East governors, regardless of their political affiliations, due to his commitment to regional projects.

He stated, “If you want me to tell you, the quantum of projects going on in the South-East is the same as that 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.”

Umahi disclosed that President Tinubu will soon visit Abia to commission completed projects, including those along the Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.

He praised Tinubu as “a man of infrastructure” whose leadership is transforming Nigeria’s road network.

Umahi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening partnerships with willing State Governments to accelerate project delivery nationwide.

In response, Otti emphasized that collaboration between the state and Federal Government is crucial for equitable socioeconomic development.

He stressed that governance, not politics, should drive progress and commended the Federal Government’s support for key infrastructure projects in Abia, such as the recently completed Port Harcourt Road in Aba.

Otti underscored that the rehabilitation of federal roads should focus on delivering benefits to the people, regardless of which government level executes the project.

He highlighted the impact of improved infrastructure on trade, noting that freight forwarders in the state “reported that goods now move from the wharf in Rivers to Aba in hours, instead of days.”