FG road projects aim to open up economic corridors in South East Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Friday, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to rebuilding critical road infrastructure in the South East as part of efforts to spur economic growth and regional connectivity.

Umahi made the remarks during an inspection of the Federal Government’s ongoing road projects in Ebonyi State, where he assessed the progress of strategic highways linking communities in the South-East and South-South regions.

He said the projects are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader infrastructure program to rebuild Nigeria’s major transport corridors with durable concrete roads.

According to the minister, one of the projects under construction will eventually connect with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, creating a continuous route that will significantly improve transportation and economic activities along the southern corridor.

Umahi explained that the first section of the project covers approximately 125.5 kilometers with a contract value of approximately ₦454 billion, stressing that 30% of the financing has already been released by the federal government.

He said the road starts from Calabar and passes through Ndibe Beach, Afikpo, Amasiri and Onueke, before connecting to other national highways that will eventually connect to Abuja.

The minister described the highway as a strategic corridor designed to connect agricultural communities, fishing settlements and emerging industrial zones across the region.

During the inspection tour, Umahi also examined the progress of a 1.5 kilometer long bridge consisting of around 30 spans, each around 30 metres.

He explained that the bridge will be built using a sophisticated launching system in which cranes move from pier to pier, lifting beams directly into place above the structure.

Once completed, he said, the bridge will provide a safer transportation route for river communities that currently rely on water crossings.

Umahi praised the indigenous contractors managing some parts of the project, noting that many of them continued to work despite delays in mobilization payments.

He said their performance demonstrates that Nigerian construction companies have the technical capacity to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects.

The minister also announced the planned launch of the President Tinubu Engineering Mentorship Programme, which will train young Nigerian engineers through hands-on experience on major construction sites.

Under the initiative, engineering graduates and technical trainees from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will be involved in ongoing infrastructure projects for hands-on training.

Umahi said the government has adopted reinforced concrete pavements for most of its highways because the material is more durable and can last up to 100 years with minimal maintenance.