The Federal Government has announced plans to commission two critical segments of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway by the end of 2025, signaling progress in infrastructure delivery across Nigeria’s South-East region.
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, made the disclosure during an inspection tour of road projects in Abia State. He was received by Governor Alex Otti in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
According to the minister, the Umuahia-Aba and Aba-Port Harcourt sections of the highway are nearing completion and are scheduled for inauguration in December and November, respectively. The projects are being executed by Arab Contractors and other construction firms under federal supervision.
“These two corridors are central to connecting key commercial hubs in the South-East and South-South,” Umahi said, adding that the completion would ease transportation and trade activities across the region.
He commended Governor Otti for facilitating right-of-way clearance and cooperating with federal agencies to accelerate the work. “This is a prime example of how collaboration beyond political lines can result in real benefits for the people,” he said.
The minister also used the opportunity to highlight other ongoing federal road projects in the region, including the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, and the newly awarded Afikpo Road.
However, Umahi acknowledged financial constraints, noting that the administration inherited over 2,600 federal road contracts valued at ₦13 trillion in 2023—a figure that has since increased to more than ₦20 trillion. To address this, he encouraged state governments to rehabilitate certain roads with the option of introducing toll systems to recover costs, although such interventions will not be refunded by the federal government.
Governor Otti, in his remarks, stressed that infrastructure development should be driven by governance rather than politics. He praised the renewed attention given to road networks in Abia, pointing to the completed Port Harcourt Road in Aba as a transformative milestone.
“The improved roads have already cut down travel time and enhanced the movement of goods, as confirmed by freight operators,” Otti noted.
The Minister concluded by revealing plans for President Bola Tinubu to visit Abia in the coming months to commission completed projects. He described the president as “a man of infrastructure,” adding that regional development was at the heart of the administration’s broader agenda.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to continuing partnerships aimed at fast-tracking infrastructure delivery and improving economic opportunities in the region.
