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By Tracy Moses
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has officially handed over several ongoing federal road projects in Abia State to Governor Alex Otti for completion, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
The symbolic handover took place during a Grand Civic Reception held in honour of Governor Otti at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, over the weekend.
The roads transferred to the state government include the Owerri–Umuaka Road, Onuigbo–Umuahia Road, Omezuo Bridge, and the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road.
Addressing a crowd that comprised members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders, Umahi explained that the handover was approved by President Tinubu in response to a request from Governor Otti and a mutual understanding to fast-track development in the region.
According to him, the arrangement allows the Abia State Government to undertake the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the federal roads to ensure their timely completion.
The Minister commended Governor Otti’s commitment to infrastructure renewal, describing him as a visionary leader who prioritizes the welfare of his people above political differences.
“I am happy that many of our Governors are taking the bull by the horns,” Umahi said, noting that the affected projects had long suffered setbacks due to funding challenges.
He encouraged other state governors to emulate Otti’s proactive approach, while urging citizens of the South-East to continue supporting the Tinubu administration for sustained development in the region.
Umahi further stated that President Tinubu had demonstrated fairness toward the South-East in both project allocations and appointments, citing his own appointment as Minister of Works and the recent selection of a Chief of Air Staff from the zone as examples.
He also listed several ongoing and completed federal projects across the South-East as evidence of the President’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development nationwide.
In his response, Governor Otti expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for granting the necessary approvals that allow the state to complete the projects. He described the collaboration as a step that will bring immense value to Abia people and Nigerians at large.
Otti recalled that this was not the first time Abia State was intervening in federal projects, emphasizing that “the end justifies the means” when the goal is improved infrastructure for the people.
The development has drawn commendations from a wide range of stakeholders, who hailed it as a progressive partnership that will fast-track project delivery, ease transportation, and boost economic activities across Abia and neighbouring states.
Earlier in the day, Umahi, in company with Governor Otti, members of the National Assembly, and other stakeholders, undertook an inspection tour of ongoing works on the 56.1-kilometre Section II (Umuahia Tower–Aba) of the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway, being handled by Arab Contractors (Nigeria) Limited.
The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor’s slow pace of work and quality control issues, giving them one month to complete the remaining 4.1 kilometres (Aba-bound lane) of the project.
The team also inspected the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, Section IV (Aba–Port Harcourt), being executed by CCECC (Nigeria) Limited, where Umahi reiterated his earlier warning following poor adherence to engineering standards.
He revealed that following his last visit, the contract was partially descoped, allowing CCECC to continue work only on the Aba-bound carriageway, while the Port Harcourt-bound section was reassigned under emergency repairs to Trucret (Nigeria) Limited, an indigenous contractor with a proven track record.
The initial project, awarded in January 2017 with a 30-month completion timeline, covers 41.4 kilometres from Aba (Railway Crossing) in Abia State to Eleme Junction Flyover in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to Umahi, the redesigned highway will feature eight lanes, with expanded medians at both the Aba and Port Harcourt ends to improve vehicular flow and reduce congestion.
The Minister stressed that completing the final leg of the four-section superhighway remains a key national priority, as it links major economic assets such as seaports, refineries, petrochemical and fertilizer plants in the coastal corridor.
“The significance of enhancing the socio-economic life of communities along this corridor, and improving the traffic flow between Aba and Port Harcourt, cannot be overstated,” Umahi said.
The development was contained in a statement signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Works.