From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ABAKALIKI
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has declared that the long-troubled Enugu-Onitsha Expressway is fast shedding its grim past, as the Federal Government intensifies a sweeping infrastructure upgrade across the South-East.
Umahi made the declaration on Monday during an inspection of ongoing projects in Enugu, including the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and the Eke-Obinagu Flyover, where he expressed confidence that the era of consistent fatal accidents, endless traffic, and public frustration along the road is coming to an end.
Once regarded as one of the most dangerous highways in the region, the Enugu-Onitsha road had for years been plagued by tanker explosions, loss of lives, and economic disruptions.
But Umahi said decisive intervention by the Bola Tinubu administration had changed the trajectory.
“Now this route, the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, you would recall when we came on board, everyday people were talking about this road. There were a lot of tanker accidents, a lot of people died and so forth. But my joy is that the whole thing is a past story, because the president has swinged into action”, he stated.
The Minister disclosed that the dual carriageway, which spans 107 kilometres on each side, is 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 fail we will have 50% 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.
He added that the same approach was being extended to sections in Anambra State, including the head bridge axis where an initial asphalt design is being replaced with concrete pavement to align with modern highway standards.
“At the head Bridge we have 39k; we’re changing that to concrete so that we can have this coastal road type of road pavement there in Anambra and here in Enugu.
“Beyond reconstruction, the project is also being enhanced with solar-powered street lighting and environmental features aimed at improving safety and sustainability.
“So that is going to happen but then not only that. We are putting solar light both for the one that was constructed before us and the one that is being done by us. Within the first one week we will have solar light up to this 1km and we continue we are also going to plant trees which is very important”, the Minister added.
He urged people of the South-East to recognise the level of federal intervention in the region, noting that such attention to infrastructure was previously lacking.
Umahi also cautioned against divisive narratives, warning that some actors were misleading the public for selfish interests.
Calling for sustained support for President Tinubu, Umahi described the ongoing works as part of a broader effort to correct past neglect and integrate the South-East more fully into national development.
As a major milestone, the minister directed that the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway be reopened for public use on or before March 31.
Addressing concerns over project costs, Umahi clarified that the Ministry of Works does not unilaterally determine project pricing, noting that approvals pass through multiple regulatory layers, including the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council.
He maintained that the standard being applied to the Enugu-Onitsha project is consistent with major road projects across the country.
