_Minister reports 28% completion on Section 2, Onueke Flyover, Ndi-Egbe Bridge inspection during media tour_
Road projects conceived during the colonial era but abandoned for decades are now being delivered to the South East under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Minister of Works Senator Dave Umahi has said.
Umahi disclosed this on Saturday in Ebonyi State while leading senior journalists and government officials on a tour of federal projects in the region. The former Ebonyi governor described the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway as “a colonial-era dream long forgotten” that President Tinubu has revived.
“It is a colonial-era dream long forgotten, but President Tinubu has revived it, and construction is now underway. We must thank him immensely,” Umahi said during the tour.
*Superhighway details, progress*
The minister said Section One of the highway, originally 118km, has been extended to 123.6km at a contract sum of ₦45 billion. Dualisation works are ongoing, with concrete pavement already laid on the Onueke section.
Section Two, awarded to Infiouest International Limited at ₦668 billion, runs from the Aboadi border through Benue and Kogi States to the Loko-Oweto Bridge in Nasarawa. Umahi reported about 28% completion in some areas, with work continuing through the rainy season due to the adoption of concrete road technology pioneered by Tinubu as Lagos governor.
“The Trans-Sahara Superhighway is not just a road; it is an investment corridor that will catalyse trade in agricultural produce like cassava, yams, cashews, and palm oil from Cross River, Benue and Ebonyi, while also connecting Nigeria to Cameroon,” he explained.
*Bridges, flyover inspected*
The delegation inspected critical bridges in Section One and the 1.3km Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi, which links Ugep in Cross River. The contractor, Infiouest International Limited, is expected to complete it by December 2026.
At the Onueke Flyover in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Umahi said the ₦35 billion project stands 90 metres high and is flanked by 2.2km of road on both sides to decongest traffic. The team also inspected the completed concrete pavement link road between Okposi-Ukawu in Ebonyi and Ugwulangu-Abaomege in Cross River.
*South East leaders to endorse Tinubu Monday*
Umahi said the South East has ended “decades of exclusion.” “All our forefathers sought—inclusiveness—we have it now,” he stated.
Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru, who received the delegation in Abakaliki, declared the state “the safest in Nigeria” with no reported kidnappings since he assumed office. He thanked Tinubu for infrastructure and social projects in Ebonyi and said contractors were working across all 13 LGAs on rural roads, health centres and water schemes.
South East governors and leaders will converge in Abakaliki on Monday for a rally to endorse President Tinubu for a second term. Governor Nwifuru will lead Ebonyi’s delegation, Umahi said, urging citizens to “ignore the ranting of opposition politicians who cannot match President Tinubu’s record.”
*Media tour continues*
The tour is organised by the Hope Uzodimma-led Renewed Hope Ambassadors with the Presidential Media Team. Led by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, and Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, the team will proceed to Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Imo to inspect other Renewed Hope projects.
