The Federal Government has opened a 15-kilometre portion of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway to commuters to reduce travel delays during the Easter holidays. 

During a site visit, Works Minister David Umahi designated the newly accessible stretch as a gift to South-East travelers to improve their holiday experience.

The Minister instructed the construction firm to ensure the lane was ready for use by March 31, prioritizing immediate accessibility over final aesthetic touches. He explained that opening the road was a priority to alleviate the long-standing hardships faced by drivers on the previously dilapidated route.

This 15km segment near the Akama axis was constructed using rigid concrete technology to ensure it withstands heavy use for decades.

Firmly defending the choice of materials, Umahi declared, “I have no confidence in asphalt, and I continue to say it.”

Addressing the historical danger of the highway, the Minister noted that the poor condition of the road had previously led to numerous tragedies. He observed, “This road, Enugu–Onitsha, I think is the most important route for the people of the South-East.

There were a lot of tanker accidents; a lot of people died.”

Umahi also discussed the significant fiscal hurdles the ministry is currently navigating, citing a massive backlog of unfinished work and unpaid bills. He revealed, “We inherited a very terrible debt of over N13 trillion and 2,068 projects as of May 2023.”

Despite the economic climate, the Minister maintained that the current administration is prioritizing the South-East’s development needs. Encouraging appreciation for the federal government’s efforts, he said, “The people of the South-east ought to be very grateful to Mr President. We never had it like this.”

The Minister confirmed that the standards used for the Enugu-Onitsha project would match those of other major national coastal road projects. Regarding the high-spec construction, he noted, “The same quality you see in Lagos-Calabar is what we are bringing here. This is a national infrastructure revolution.”

Umahi thanked the Enugu State Government for its support and pledged to enhance the road’s security and visibility immediately. Highlighting the upcoming installation of streetlights, he vowed, “within the next one week, you will have solar light up to this 15 kilometres.”