South-East Roads: FG Accelerates Completion in Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi

The Federal Government says it has intensified the construction, rehabilitation and dualisation of major federal roads across Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states, with several projects either completed or at advanced stages.

According to the report, these ongoing interventions have significantly improved road connectivity and reduced travel time for motorists across most of the region.

Enugu: Multiple Federal Road Projects Nearing Completion

In Enugu State, the Federal Controller of Works, Mr Smart Okpi, said several federal road projects have either been completed or are progressing well under the Federal Government's ongoing intervention to strengthen land transportation.

Okpi listed the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway as one of the key projects, noting that one 61-kilometre carriageway, handled by CGC Nigeria Ltd, has been completed alongside an additional eight kilometres of the second carriageway. He also disclosed that the Eke Obinagu Flyover — comprising twin 23-span bridges, each about 350 metres long for a combined length of 700 metres, plus roughly 2.2 kilometres of service roads — has been fully completed by indigenous contractor Reinforced Global Resources Limited and is now awaiting formal inauguration.

On the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, which runs from the Onitsha head bridge in Anambra to the 82 Division Junction in Enugu, Okpi said contractor SKECC has completed its 32.5km section, with only ancillary works such as U-turns, drainage, median barriers and slope protection remaining. Niger CAT, operating under MTN, has similarly completed its 22km section and is now carrying out road markings, maintenance, and grass planting. Meanwhile, RCC — another contractor under MTN — is handling a 12km stretch up to the Enugu-Anambra border, with six kilometres already completed to base-course level and preparations underway for reinforced concrete paving following the arrival of a concrete paver on site.

Okpi further disclosed that Setraco has completed the first phase of the old Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, covering about 23km, with another 22km remaining under the second phase. The same contractor is also handling the 22km Oji River-Achi-Mmaku road, of which 16km has been completed. "The remaining six kilometres consist mainly of link roads that will be handled when the second phase of the project receives approval," he said.

On the old Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Okpi said Arab Contractors is managing the 90km stretch from Opi through the old road to the Anambra border, with about 35km completed under the first phase. He noted that further work would continue as funding becomes available in the federal budget, clarifying that the entire stretch is already under contract and being executed in phases.

Regarding the Enugu-Benue road, Okpi said China Harbour Engineering Company is handling the project, with approximately 72km falling within Enugu State. About 15km has been asphalted so far, though not continuously, as earthworks and culverts have been completed while stonebase and base-course works remain ongoing. "The project involves the dualisation of the existing single carriageway from the 9th Mile area through Opi to the Benue border," he explained, adding that the road, while still under construction, has become considerably more motorable than before.

On the Abakpa Bridge project, Okpi said CCCC Nigeria Ltd has completed 19 of the 40 foundation piles required, with 21 still outstanding. He expressed optimism that construction would accelerate once the foundation works are completed, noting that preparations for beams and other superstructure components are already underway at the contractor's yard.

Okpi said the impact of these interventions is already being felt by residents and motorists, with several major routes recording a marked reduction in travel time.

Drivers Commend Efforts, Push for Faster Completion

Meanwhile, bus drivers operating in Enugu State commended the Federal Government for its ongoing road interventions but called for faster completion of the projects to ease travel and reduce accidents and vehicle damage.

Bus driver Mr Kenneth Ani acknowledged the ongoing construction and rehabilitation efforts but said several major federal roads in the state remain in poor condition, singling out the old and new Enugu-Onitsha Expressways as well as the Enugu-Benue Road — which he described as a death trap for motorists. "It is by the Grace of God that we reached Enugu from Lagos, as many used to sleep on the road because of the bad portions from Benin to Agbor and Asaba. There is no functional federal road network in the South-East," he said, adding that motorists travelling from Lagos and Abuja to Enugu often have to repair their vehicles due to poor road conditions, particularly in Kogi and Benue states.

Another driver, Mr Amadi Chinaka, described the Enugu-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Ebonyi roads as especially difficult routes. "You don't need to ask me; travel by yourself and see for yourself. Politicians should travel by road to see what we are passing through," he said.

The drivers urged the Federal Government and contractors handling the various projects to accelerate construction and rehabilitation efforts to ensure safer and easier movement of people and goods across the region.

Ebonyi: FERMA, Contractors Push Ahead with Multiple Projects

In Ebonyi State, Mr Akinyemi Ojo, State Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the agency remains committed to maintaining federal roads and ensuring the safety of road users. He told NAN that several roads — including the Owutu–Amasiri Road, Oso-Eda–Nguzu–Ohafia Road, and Afikpo–Unwana Road — are currently receiving maintenance attention, while other major roads undergoing rehabilitation and reconstruction include the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Road, Abakaliki–Afikpo–Cross River Road, Amasiri–Okigwe Road, and the Abakaliki–Enugu Highway.

Ojo added that the dualisation of the Akpoha Bridge and hill-cutting works at Timber Shade, among other projects, are also receiving attention.

NAN recalls that the Federal Ministry of Works has conducted several inspection tours of the Amasiri–Okigwe Road, Abakaliki–Akpoha–Afikpo Road, and other ongoing projects in the state. During one such inspection, Minister of Works David Umahi said the Amasiri–Okigwe Road is being executed under the Federal Government's tax-credit scheme in partnership with Dangote Industries Ltd, describing it as part of President Bola Tinubu's legacy projects in the South-East. "The 65-kilometre project will reconnect Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states after years of severe deterioration. Sections of the road had become impassable due to deep erosion and extensive pavement failure before reconstruction commenced," he said.

On the Okigwe-Uturu Road, Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government has begun pulling down a section of a 60-metre-high mountain along the route to facilitate construction of a motorable road and improve highway safety. Speaking further on the project, Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ebonyi, Mr Maxwell Oko, said the Highway F112 project comprises 9.9 kilometres of dual carriageway and 55.55km of single carriageway, delivered under the tax-credit arrangement with Dangote Industries Ltd as sponsor and Hi-Tech Construction as the executing contractor. "The highway constitutes a major arterial route linking communities and adjoining federal highways across Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states," he explained.

Community Leader Calls for Prioritising Rural Connectivity

Community leader Chief Sunday Agbafor described road infrastructure as a critical driver of development, stressing that improved connectivity would strengthen social and economic ties among neighbouring states. "There is a need to prioritise the construction of roads linking border communities because such projects would contribute significantly to national development and rural transformation. Increased federal support for rural road infrastructure would improve the living standards of residents and stimulate economic activities across the South-East and neighbouring regions," he said.