The Federal Government has opened a 15-kilometre stretch of the 9th Mile–Abakpa axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway ahead of the Easter holidays, describing the move as a special traffic-relief intervention for residents of the South-East.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the development on Thursday during an inspection visit to the Ugwu-Onyeama/9th Mile section of the highway. He commended the quality of work done so far and reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving critical road infrastructure across the region.
Umahi said the temporary opening of the road would ease movement during the festive period, noting that solar-powered streetlights would also be installed along the completed portions.
He stressed that the Enugu–Onitsha and Enugu–Port Harcourt corridors remain vital economic routes long burdened by gridlock, tanker accidents, and failed sections.
Recalling the previous condition of the road, the minister said travellers once spent over seven hours commuting between Enugu and Onitsha due to years of abandonment. He disclosed that although the project was first awarded years ago under an MTN–RCC tax credit arrangement, major delays persisted until President Tinubu ordered an accelerated redesign and reconstruction.
According to him, the Federal Government reviewed the original ₦202 billion contract and carved out a 72km portion for reinforced concrete pavement, now valued at about ₦150 billion. The full reconstruction of the highway is estimated at over ₦350 billion.
Umahi also highlighted progress on other sections, including an ongoing 18km stretch towards Anambra and a separate 39km segment from the Niger Bridge. He further revealed that contractors handling the remaining 23km asphalt portions have been directed to switch to reinforced concrete for greater longevity.
“Asphalt deteriorates with time, but concrete lasts 50 to 100 years with minimal maintenance. By completion, at least half of the entire road will be concrete,” he said.
The minister listed additional federal projects underway in the South-East, including major works on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, the dualisation of the Enugu–Abakaliki road, and reconstruction of the Afikpo–Abia–Okigwe corridor under a tax credit scheme. He also cited improvements on the Aba–Port Harcourt highway, access roads to the Second Niger Bridge, and several newly built flyovers.
He further announced that previously collapsed bridges on the Enugu–Onitsha route had been rebuilt within nine months and fitted with solar lighting systems. He added that national projects—such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and a proposed Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Abuja corridor—would significantly reduce travel time between the South-East and Abuja.
Responding to claims of abandoned federal projects, Umahi urged the public to rely on verified information, stating that many projects are progressing steadily. He also clarified that the eastern rail corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is under the Ministry of Transport, with procurement ongoing.
Umahi appealed to political leaders in the South-East to support the Tinubu administration, insisting that governance should be measured by tangible development.
He assured that the entire Enugu–Onitsha highway would be completed by 2026, transforming transportation, safety, and economic activities in the region.
“This project will change the transportation landscape of the South-East. What you’re seeing today is only the beginning,” he said.
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