Umahi commissions Enugu-Onitsha road sections, promises full completion by 2026

Works Minister David Umahi commissioned the first 15 kilometres of reconstructed Enugu–Onitsha Expressway on Thursday, opening the concrete-paved section to traffic to ease Easter travel. The minister highlighted that the full project, now valued at over ₦350 billion, involves converting at least 50% of the highway to reinforced concrete for a 50-100 year lifespan. The 72-kilometre concrete stretch, costing ₦150 billion, is part of a redesigned section ordered by President Tinubu after eight years of stalled progress.

This addresses the notorious seven-hour journey between Enugu and Onitsha, a critical Southeast economic corridor previously plagued by neglect. An additional 18 kilometres towards Anambra and 39 kilometres from the Niger Bridge are under construction, while contractors must now use concrete on the remaining 23 kilometres.

Umahi linked the progress to the Tinubu administration's broader infrastructure push in the Southeast, citing work on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Aba–Port Harcourt road, and new flyovers. He denied claims of abandoned projects, urging the public to visit sites. The minister also noted rebuilt bridges with solar lighting and mentioned the proposed eastern rail line to Maiduguri is in procurement.

With completion targeted for 2026, the project promises to transform regional mobility and commerce. The concrete standard, though costlier upfront, aims to eliminate frequent asphalt repairs. Will this infrastructure finally unlock the Southeast's economic potential, or will maintenance funding become the next hurdle?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/02/umahi-opens-completed-sections-of-enugu-onitsha-road/