Lawmakers to meet Umahi over Enugu-Onitsha Expressway’s rehabilitation

As part of efforts to rehabilitate the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, members of the Senate and House of Representatives will meet with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and mobile telecommunications provider, MTN Group Limited, on Wednesday.

Calls for the rehabilitation of the road became prominent again after a tanker explosion on January 25 killed several people on the road. Despite the road being funded through the MTN tax credit scheme, it has been under rehabilitation for over 15 years.

To bring relief to commuters, members of both chambers from Anambra and Enugu States, led by the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, addressed a letter to the minister notifying him of the meeting, which will also include MTN representatives.

In the letter, jointly signed by Ngwu, Senator Victor Umeh, Honourable Paschal Agbodike, and Honourable Sam Atu, the lawmakers stated that the primary goal of the meeting is to explore ways to expedite the commencement of work on the second lane of the expressway and ensure the timely completion of the entire project.

The letter read in part: “We wish to express our profound appreciation and commendation for the remarkable strides your ministry has made in transforming the nation’s infrastructure landscape. The unprecedented scale of road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance across the country is a testament to your leadership and commitment to delivering on the government’s promises. As members of the Anambra and Enugu Caucus of the National Assembly, we are particularly grateful for the attention given to the South-East region, and we acknowledge the efforts being made to address the region’s infrastructure deficits.”

“However, we would like to bring to your attention the ongoing rehabilitation of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, funded by MTN through the tax credit scheme. As you may be aware, the project has been plagued by delays, resulting in incessant accidents and loss of lives, including the recent fuel tanker incident along Ugwuonyeama (Enugu End) Expressway that claimed several lives. We believe a discussion with your office would be beneficial in addressing our constituents’ concerns and finding solutions to the project’s problems. We would like to explore ways to expedite the commencement of work on the second lane and completion of the entire project, ensuring its timely delivery.”