FG targets March 31 reopening of Enugu–Onitsha expressway

The Federal Government has set March 31 as the deadline for reopening the Enugu–Onitsha expressway to public use.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Francis Nwaze, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Nwaze quoted Umahi as saying this during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in Enugu, including the expressway and the Eke-Obinagu Flyover.

“I have given the controller the authority, so by March 31st or before, he should open this road. Let people know that this road is open for travel and that will be our Easter celebration.”

Umahi expressed confidence that the road, once notorious for fatal accidents, gridlock, and economic losses, is rapidly being transformed under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The minister expressed confidence that the era of consistent fatal accidents, endless traffic, and public frustration along the road was coming to an end.

“I am going round the six geopolitical zones assessing what is possibly to be inaugurated before May 29 by the president.

“There are mega projects that the president will be available for before May 29 and we mean it.

“Once regarded as one of the most dangerous highways in the region, the Enugu–Onitsha road has for years been plagued by tanker explosions, loss of lives, and economic disruptions.

“With decisive intervention by the Tinubu’s administration has changed the trajectory that is changing. But my joy is that the whole thing is a past story, because the president swong into action,” he said.

Umahi said the dual carriageway, which spanned 107 kilometres on each side, was undergoing a major structural shift, with a significant portion being converted from asphalt to concrete to ensure durability.

“It is not only that we are repairing this road; about half of it is going on to be concrete. I have no confidence in asphalt I continue to say it.

“By the time the asphalt fails, we will have 50 per cent of the road still intact and if it fails within the second tenure of the president, then be rest assured that we will fix it,” he said.

The minister explained that the same approach was being extended to sections in Anambra State, including the head bridge axis where an initial asphalt design was being replaced with concrete pavement to align with modern highway standards.

He said that beyond reconstruction, the project was also being enhanced with solar-powered street lighting and environmental features aimed at improving safety and sustainability.

Umahi urged the people of the South-East to recognise the level of federal intervention in the region, noting that such attention to infrastructure was previously lacking.

“The people of South East have to be very grateful to Mr President. The reason is that we never had it like this.

“I was governor for eight years and I cannot think of any federal road project in Ebonyi State,” he said.

He also cautioned against divisive narratives, warning that some actors were misleading the public for selfish interests.

He, therefore, called for sustained support for the Tinubu’s administration and described the ongoing works as part of a broader effort to correct past neglect and integrate the South-East more fully into national development.

“Let us allow this man who started to right the wrong meted on us as the people of Southeast in the past. Let us allow him the next four years and we will be very much fully integrated.”(NAN)

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