Tinubu fixing Nigeria’s roads despite inheriting heavy debt burden — Umahi
From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the administration of President Bola Tinubu inherited debts exceeding N13 trillion and no fewer than 268 ongoing road projects
From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the administration of President Bola Tinubu inherited debts exceeding N13 trillion and no fewer than 268 ongoing road projects nationwide.
Umahi spoke on Monday while inspecting federal road projects in Enugu, including the Abakpa Junction flyover, Eke-Obinagu flyover, and the Enugu–Onitsha expressway.
He noted that before the current administration, most federal roads were in deplorable condition, making it difficult for motorists to travel for up to an hour without encountering failed sections.
According to him, the situation is gradually improving due to ongoing interventions by the Federal Government.
“We inherited very terrible debts, over N13 trillion, and more than 268 projects as at May 2023. Before now, you could not drive for one hour without encountering bad roads, but that is becoming history based on what the President is doing,” he said.
The minister expressed optimism that complaints about poor road infrastructure would continue to decline, adding that the government remains committed to delivering durable road networks across the country.
“Everything cannot be completed overnight, but we are focused and not distracted. We are carrying out the directive of Mr. President to ensure that the entire country is properly connected with roads and bridges,” Umahi added.
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He directed that a 15-kilometre stretch of the Enugu–Onitsha expressway be reopened to traffic on or before the end of the month to ease movement and boost economic activities in the South-East.
Umahi described the Enugu–Onitsha and Enugu–Port Harcourt corridors as strategic routes long affected by congestion, tanker accidents, and deteriorating pavement, expressing confidence that ongoing reconstruction would permanently address the challenges.
He also commended Peter Mbah for supporting federal road projects, particularly the Abakpa flyover, noting that the state government assisted in compensation payments and relocation of utilities.
The contractor handling the Abakpa Junction flyover, Engineer Chimalo Ezeugo, said piling works were ongoing, with 15 out of 40 piles already completed.
He added that the project, expected to span about 800 metres, has a completion timeline of one year.
Similarly, the Resident Engineer on the Enugu–Onitsha project, Engineer Lawrence Ubi, disclosed that the 15-kilometre section earmarked for reopening is about 95 per cent completed and meets required engineering standards.
