The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, reaffirming its commitment to improving road infrastructure in the South-East and across the country.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, who performed the inauguration on April 2, said the project was part of ongoing efforts to ease transportation challenges and enhance economic activities in the region.
Umahi described the Enugu–Onitsha road as one of the most critical routes in the South-East, noting that travel time along the corridor had significantly reduced following recent interventions.
“The journey from Enugu to Onitsha used to take several hours due to the poor state of the road, but what we are doing now will bring lasting relief to motorists,” he said.
He explained that the project, initially handled under a tax credit arrangement involving MTN Nigeria and executed by RCC, experienced delays before the Federal Government intervened to accelerate construction.
According to him, the current administration reviewed the project and introduced reinforced concrete pavement on sections of the road to ensure durability.
Umahi disclosed that about 50 kilometres of the road constructed with reinforced concrete was nearing completion, adding that the President directed the opening of the first 15 kilometres to ease traffic during the Easter period.
He said, “The first 50km is about 97 per cent completed, but we decided to open this section so that people travelling during Easter will not suffer.”
The minister further outlined several ongoing and completed road projects in the South-East, including the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene road, which he said was about 95 per cent completed, and the Umuahia–Aba road, nearing completion.
He added that work was progressing on the Owerri–Aba road, the Enugu–Port Harcourt road, and the Second Niger Bridge bypass, among others.
Umahi also highlighted ongoing reconstruction efforts on roads such as Afikpo–Uturu–Okigwe under the tax credit scheme and other strategic federal highways linking the region to the rest of the country.
He assured residents that more infrastructure projects would be delivered, stressing that the government remained committed to equitable development across all regions.
The minister also noted that solar lighting and tree planting would be introduced along the Enugu–Onitsha corridor to improve safety and environmental sustainability.
He urged road users to cooperate with contractors and adhere to traffic regulations to ensure the longevity of the infrastructure.
- The Enugu–Onitsha Expressway is a major economic corridor linking the South-East with other parts of the country, facilitating trade and movement of goods and services.
