Minister of Works Dave Umahi has said he is satisfied with the quality and pace of reconstruction work being carried out by MTN Nigeria and its contractors on the Enugu–Onitsha Road.
Minister Umahi spoke on Saturday in Enugu during a press briefing after inspecting federal road projects in the Southeast, including the Enugu–Onitsha Road.
He said attention returned to the highway due to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to address infrastructure challenges in the region, noting that previous administrations did not carry out rehabilitation on the road.
“The Enugu–Onitsha Road has been a problem for decades. Previous governments, up to eight of them, did not work on this road. What we are seeing today is due to the decision and resolve of President Tinubu for the people of the Southeast,” he said.
Umahi explained that the 107-kilometre project was awarded to MTN Nigeria under the tax credit scheme for N202 billion, with about N50 billion worth of work completed before the current administration took office.
He said changes in the value of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidy led to increased costs, resulting in a review of the project scope. According to him, MTN is carrying out the revised work in collaboration with contractors Nigercat and RCC.
“We are satisfied with what they have done so far. Where we have issues, we have pointed them out, and they have agreed to make corrections,” the minister said.
He stated that April 28 has been set as the target date for completing the current phase of the project, adding that the remaining work covers about 72 kilometres across four sections.
Umahi said that two sections, measuring 15 kilometres and 18 kilometres, are being constructed with reinforced concrete.
“In the next two weeks, the first 15 kilometres of the carriageway will be completed, with only the shoulders remaining. We have also directed that solar streetlights on the first five kilometres should be completed by next week,” he said.
The minister also said the Federal Ministry of Works is considering assigning SKC to install solar streetlights along the entire 107-kilometre stretch, except in areas already covered by the Anambra State Government.
He added that the project would be completed under the current administration and credited President Tinubu for the work being done.
“All the challenges on that road will come to an end under President Tinubu,” Umahi said.
He also acknowledged the work of contractors on the project, including Nigercat, RCC and SKC, stating that asphalt would be used on sections with less damage, while sections with more damage would be addressed first.
“We count one before we count two. Sections with more damage must be fixed before moving to areas in better condition,” he added.
