Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, turned into a carnival ground as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned the 6.7km Port Harcourt Road, reconstructed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

The road, long plagued by flooding and disrepair, is now being hailed as a transformative project that restores life and commerce to the city.

Residents poured into the streets to celebrate what many described as a new dawn. “Before now, we didn’t make use of this road; we didn’t even open our shops because of the kind of flood we faced here, but today, that sad story has changed,” a rent collector said. A bus operator, Ikem Nonso, added: “Port Harcourt Road has not been accessible for us since 2007. We mostly used Owerrinta Road to get to Port Harcourt, and it was very stressful. We thank God it will no longer be like that again.”

Music, masquerades, and dancing filled the air, with youth and women’s groups competing for space to express their joy.

President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, described the project as a “miracle” delivered by the state government and Julius Berger. He commended Governor Alex Otti for his commitment to infrastructure renewal, saying the road’s completion signalled a “miracle of transformation” for Aba and Abia State.

“The president directed me that any governor who wants to do any federal road, I must approve within 24 hours. And, Governor, I am handing over the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road to you. You must do it,” Umahi declared.
Otti expressed gratitude to Tinubu, noting that the project was completed months ahead of schedule. “This road is a miracle just delivered by Julius Berger. We agreed to have it delivered by the end of 2025, but it was completed in May 2025,” he said.
Julius Berger’s Director of Administration, Dr Abdulaziz Kaita, described the road as a “lifeline for commerce and connection” linking markets, manufacturers, and communities across the South-East and Niger Delta. He said the project shifted Aba from “perennial disruption to reliable mobility.”
The 6.7km road, part of the federal government’s broader infrastructure drive, is expected to reduce travel time, lower costs for commuters and traders, and boost economic activity.

Dignitaries at the commissioning included Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emeto, Secretary to the State Government Prof Kenneth Kanu, and members of the National Assembly.