The federal government has said that two key sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia will be commissioned before the end of the year.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with Gov. Alex Otti of Abia in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, after an inspection tour of ongoing federal road projects in the state.
He said that the two sections of the expressway, which include the Umuahia to Aba and Port Harcourt to Aba routes, “represent a major step forward in infrastructure development in the South-East.
According to him, the Umuahia-to-Aba section, being handled by Arab Contractors, was “on track for inauguration in December”.
He also said that the Aba to Port Harcourt lane would be ready for inauguration in November.
The minister praised Otti for his cooperation in facilitating the removal of traders and waste along the Umuahia–Aba route of the expressway, which had previously delayed construction.
He described the governor as “a man with a golden heart” and an example of how non-partisan collaboration can accelerate development.
Umahi listed some ongoing federal projects in the South-East to include the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, and the recently awarded Afikpo Road.
Umahi also highlighted the funding challenges facing the federal government.
According to him, the Bola Tinubu-led administration inherited 2,604 federal road projects, valued at ₦13 trillion in 2023, but the total cost had since risen above ₦20 trillion.
He said that in light of the financial burden, state governments were urged to take over certain federal roads but clarified that such interventions would not be reimbursed.
He, however, encouraged state governments to toll the federal roads they rehabilitated in order to recover their investments.
Umahi further pointed out that the president was enjoying “growing support” from governors in the South-East, regardless of their different political affiliations, because of his commitment to delivering projects in the region.
