The federal government on Thursday reopened the initial 15 kilometres of completed sections of the Enugu–Onitsha highway, describing the project as a major milestone in infrastructure development across the zone.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, who performed the ceremony, also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s impact in the infrastructural upliftment of the southeast region, urging the people of the zone to continue to support him.

Umahi recalled that before the current administration, the critical highway—considered one of the busiest routes in the Southeast—had deteriorated significantly, with travel time stretching beyond seven hours, noting that the project, originally awarded in 2023, suffered prolonged delays with little progress.

He said the federal government intervened to accelerate construction, and restructuring of the contract and introducing reinforced concrete pavement on key sections to ensure durability.

He explained that while part of the project remained under its original contractor, a 72-kilometre stretch was now being rebuilt using high-quality concrete technology designed to last between 50 and 100 years with minimal maintenance.

Umahi disclosed that the total cost of reconstructing the road stands at over N350 billion, combining both the existing contract and the newly reviewed sections.

He added that the first 15 kilometres of the concrete pavement have been opened to ease traffic ahead of the Easter season.

He emphasised that additional sections—spanning 18 kilometres and 39 kilometres respectively—are at various stages of completion, with directives issued to ensure uniform construction standards across the route.

The Minister lauded President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure in the Southeast, stating that multiple road projects across the region are currently ongoing.

He listed the roads as major corridors linking Enugu, Abakaliki, Aba, Port Harcourt, and Onitsha, as well as the Second Niger Bridge access roads, among others.

Umahi added that federal investments, such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and other “legacy projects,” would improve connectivity between the Southeast and other parts of the country.

Umahi also pointed to the ongoing reconstruction of additional roads under various funding arrangements, including tax credit schemes and direct federal funding, noting that many of the projects are nearing completion.

While acknowledging public concerns about other unfinished road sections, the Minister insisted that work is ongoing and urged Nigerians to verify progress on-site rather than relying on outdated reports.

Umahi called on leaders in the Southeast to support the current administration, arguing that “the region is witnessing increased federal attention and inclusion in national development efforts”.

He added that the Enugu–Onitsha road project would be fully completed by 2026, “as a transformative development that will significantly reduce travel time, improve safety, and boost economic activities across the region”.