Umahi: New highway corridor to boost South East economy

David Umahi, minister of Works, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to rebuilding key road infrastructure across the Southeast.

Umahi said ongoing highway projects would open new economic corridors and strengthen regional connectivity.

Umahi made the disclover on Friday during an inspection of major Federal Government road projects spanning parts of Cross River, Ebonyi and Abia States. The projects inspected include the Ibom Road in Cross River linking Ndibe Beach in Ebonyi State, as well as the Utukpo–Uturu–Okigwe highway corridor.

According to the minister, the projects are part of the infrastructure agenda of President aimed at modernising Nigeria’s transport network and improving the movement of goods and people across the country.

Umahi explained that one of the strategic routes under construction will eventually connect with the proposed Transhara highway, forming a continuous transport corridor across the southern region.

He said the first section of the project covers about 125.5 kilometres with a contract value of approximately N454 billion, noting that the Federal Government has already released 30 percent of the required funding to ensure steady progress.

“The road begins from Calabar and passes through Ndibe Beach, Afikpo, Amasiri and Onueke before linking to other national highways that will ultimately connect to Abuja,” Umahi said.

He described the highway as a strategic transport corridor designed to connect agricultural communities, fishing settlements and emerging industrial zones, thereby stimulating trade and economic activities across the Southeast and South-South.

During the inspection, the minister also reviewed work on a 1.5-kilometre bridge that forms part of the highway project.

Umahi explained that the bridge will consist of about 30 spans Ndibe beach bridge, each measuring roughly 30 metres, and will be constructed using a modern launching system where cranes move from one pier to another to lift beams directly into position.

When completed, he said the bridge will provide a safer and more reliable transportation route for riverine communities that currently depend on water crossings.

The minister commended indigenous contractors handling sections of the project, noting that many of them have continued work despite delays in mobilisation payments.

According to him, their performance demonstrates that Nigerian construction firms possess the technical capacity to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects.

Umahi also announced plans for the launch of the President Tinubu Engineering Mentorship Programme, an initiative designed to provide practical training opportunities for young Nigerian engineers.

He said engineering graduates and technical trainees from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will be attached to ongoing federal infrastructure projects to gain hands-on experience.

Umahi further explained that the Federal Government has adopted reinforced concrete pavement for most highway projects because of its durability, noting that concrete roads can last up to 100 years with minimal maintenance.

He urged southeastners to give their unalloyed support to President Bola Tinubu.