Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has succeeded where previous administrations failed by reviving long-abandoned road projects in the Southeast, effectively ending decades of stalled contracts in the region.
Umahi expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on the Enugu–Onitsha Road, commending the contractors for visible progress. He spoke during the weekend while unveiling stricter engineering standards, firm completion timelines, and the deployment of modern technology to improve highway safety across the Southeast.
The minister briefed journalists in Enugu after an extensive inspection of major federal road and bridge projects in the Southeast and South-South zones.
As part of new safety measures, Umahi announced a nationwide ban on mining activities within a 10-kilometre radius of bridges, following approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). He said the decision was aimed at protecting vital infrastructure and ensuring long-term structural integrity.
According to him, enforcement will be strict, with patrol mechanisms—including water patrols around bridges—already in place.
“No form of mining will be allowed within 10 kilometres of any bridge in the country. We are deploying patrol boats, similar to what we have on the Third Mainland Bridge, to ensure compliance,” Umahi said.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced the installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights on federal highways, starting with completed and critical routes. He said the initiative, already operational on the Second Niger Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge, is designed to enhance security, deter crime, and ensure quick emergency response.
“Our plan is that every completed federal highway will have CCTV coverage, solar lighting, and dedicated security vehicles. Response time to any incident will not exceed five minutes,” he said.
Umahi added that two patrol vehicles have been provided for police operations on the Second Niger Bridge, with the ministry committing N3 million monthly for maintenance and logistics.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress on the 17.5-kilometre eastern bypass of the Second Niger Bridge, being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCCC) at an estimated cost of N179 billion. About 30 per cent of the project funding has been released so far, with plans to raise it to 50 per cent. Part of the bypass, which includes two bridges and two flyovers, is expected to be inaugurated on April 20.
Umahi described the long-neglected Enugu–Onitsha Expressway as a flagship intervention driven by President Tinubu’s resolve to address infrastructure decay in the Southeast. The 107-kilometre dual carriageway, initially awarded to MTN Nigeria under a tax credit scheme, suffered prolonged delays under previous administrations.
“This road was abandoned for decades. It is the courage and determination of President Tinubu that is finally ending this hardship,” the minister said.
He explained that due to inflation and exchange-rate pressures, the project scope was recently reviewed. The most damaged sections—spanning 15 kilometres and 18 kilometres—are now being rebuilt with reinforced concrete, while less affected areas will be completed with asphalt.
Umahi disclosed that the first 15 kilometres of the carriageway will be completed within two weeks, alongside the installation of solar streetlights. He also announced a new policy banning the removal of existing asphalt from federal roads.
“No contractor is allowed to scrape asphalt anymore. We now apply different engineering treatments based on the condition of each road,” he said.
Future road designs, he added, will include concrete shoulders, stronger stone bases, cement stabilisation, and improved asphalt layers for durability.
On the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Umahi confirmed that 61 kilometres on the Enugu-bound lane and three kilometres on the Port Harcourt-bound lane have been fully completed, assuring that the entire corridor will be fixed before 2026.
He also provided updates on the Enugu–Ebonyi Road, noting that reconstruction has extended beyond sections already dualised by the Enugu State Government. The N180 billion project will be executed in phases, with the first phase scheduled for completion this year.
Umahi warned that underperforming contractors would not be tolerated. He singled out CGC, handling parts of the Second Niger Bridge bypass, giving the firm 60 days to improve or risk contract termination and possible recovery of funds through performance guarantees.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Umahi said the focus remains on delivering safe, durable, and modern road infrastructure across the Southeast and the entire country.
He again praised MTN Nigeria and its subcontractors—Nigercat, RCC, and SKC—for their performance on the Enugu–Onitsha Road, noting that April 28 has been set as the target date for completing the current phase of work.
“The worst sections are our priority. Once those are fixed, we will move to the better parts. When this project is completed, the road will truly be a sight to behold,” Umahi said, adding that full credit belongs to President Tinubu for ending decades of suffering for road users in the region.
