By Sanni Marvelous
The Minister of Works, Sen. Nweze Umahi, has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made significant funding commitments to ongoing road construction projects in Enugu State and across the South East. Umahi said the projects reflect the administration’s resolve to redefine road construction technology and methodology nationwide.
Speaking during an inspection of the descoped sections of the Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway on Thursday, the minister praised President Tinubu for his inclusiveness in allocating resources across the six geopolitical zones. He said: “And so, South East is for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and no one is going to deceive us. All our votes will go to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Seeing is believing. We are on it. Our people are benefiting just like other regions. And we are very grateful to the President.”
Umahi disclosed that the Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway project, covering 123 kilometres, is one of the President’s third Renewed Hope Legacy projects, valued at N464 billion.
“The President has already paid 30 percent. Yesterday, he approved further payment of 20 percent, just like in other regions. So we have every cause to be grateful to God for bringing the President on board. And we know very well that for all these projects, give him another five years plus, they will all be completed. And Nigeria will never be the same again,” he said.
The minister also expressed excitement over the spread of similar projects in all six regions. “I’m very excited that we have a President who is a father to all sections of this country. I’m excited that what is happening in North West, what is happening in South West, North East, North Central, South South, that’s the new road construction technology by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is happening here in South East, here in Enugu State. There are going to be many of this type, be it in Ebonyi, be it in Abia, be it in Anambra, of course the second Niger Bridge through Section 2B, be it in Imo State, the five States of South East will be witnessing this.”
On the Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway, Umahi noted that 72 kilometres remain under construction, with reinforced concrete pavement designed to last up to 100 years. He explained that the project is valued at N150 billion, with N45 billion already disbursed to the contractor. “This is 72km, which is the balance of what MTN is doing on Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway. Their subcontractor is RCC. The last time we had a meeting with MTN, we agreed that within the contract sum of what they had with MTN, which is N202 billion, they should concentrate and finish that scope of work… This section alone is 15 kilometres. And we have another section. We have about four sections. And I’m very happy with the quality of work. SKECC is one of our best contractors.”
He urged the contractors not to allow seasonal challenges to slow down their work. “They should not be threatened by the rains but should continue to handle those levels of construction that would not be affected by the rains,” he said.
During his visit, the minister inspected the descoped sections of the Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway handled by SKECC Nigeria Ltd, the Abakpa Junction Interchange in Enugu State being constructed by Messrs. CCECC Nigeria Limited, and the 23-span flyover bridge at Eke-Obinagu Junction along the Enugu–Abakaliki Road, which is being executed by Reinforced Global Resources Nig. Ltd.
