By Doris Onyekachi
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed that a completed 15-kilometre section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway be opened to traffic on or before March 31, as part of ongoing efforts to ease transportation challenges in the South-East.
Umahi gave the directive during an inspection tour of the project, where engineers briefed him on the progress of construction works and readiness for phased commissioning.
Speaking during the inspection on Monday, Umahi described the Enugu–Onitsha road as critical to economic activities in the South-East, noting that it had long been plagued by accidents and heavy congestion.
“This road, Enugu–Onitsha, I think is the most important route for the people of the South-East. Every day people were talking about this road. There were a lot of tanker accidents; a lot of people died,” he said.
He stressed that the reconstruction was part of a broader infrastructure push by the Federal Government.
“It’s not only that we are rebuilding this road. It’s 107km by two, so it’s 214km from Enugu to Onitsha. About half of it is going to be done on concrete, and I have no confidence in asphalt, and I continue to say it,” Umahi stated.
The minister added that using concrete pavement would ensure long-term durability.
Doris is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
