Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said the Federal Government under Bola Tinubu is bringing to life several major road projects in the South-East that were conceived during the colonial era but remained incomplete for decades.
Speaking in Ebonyi State on Saturday during an inspection tour of key infrastructure projects, Umahi said the projects are being executed under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He identified the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway as one of the most important road projects currently underway in the region.
According to the minister, construction has commenced on the highway, which is expected to improve connectivity between the South-East, South-South, and parts of the North-Central region. He said the first section of the road, originally planned at 118 kilometres, has been expanded to 123.6 kilometres, while construction of the dual carriageway is ongoing.
Umahi disclosed that another section of the highway stretching from the Aboadi border through Benue and Kogi states to Nasarawa State has also been awarded. He added that some portions of the project are about 28 per cent complete despite the rainy season.
The minister said the highway would serve as an economic corridor. This works by easing the movement of agricultural products. Products like cassava, yams, cashews, and palm oil from Cross River, Benue, and Ebonyi states. He added that the route would also strengthen links between Nigeria and Cameroon.
He noted that the concrete road technology being used on the project is quite useful. This helps contractors continue work throughout the rainy season and is now being adopted in different parts of the country.
Umahi said the South-East has benefited from increased federal attention to infrastructure. He described the ongoing projects as a response to long-standing demands for greater inclusion.
During the inspection, officials visited major bridges and road sections under construction. Sites visited include the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The bridge, which connects Ebonyi and Cross River states, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The delegation also inspected the Onueke Flyover project in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District.
The project, valued at ₦35 billion, is designed to reduce traffic congestion along the highway corridor.
Officials further assessed a completed concrete pavement link road connecting communities in Ebonyi and Cross River states. This structure aims to improve transportation and economic activity between the two states.
