Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway Completion By Year End

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, announced that President Bola Tinubu is working diligently to complete the Enugu‑Port Harcourt Expressway by the end of the year. This update follows Umahi’s inspection of the project’s progress on the Aba end. He reported that more than 85 percent of the Aba‑Umuahia section and roughly 60 percent of the Aba‑Port Harcourt stretch have been finished.

Umahi expressed satisfaction with the quality of work carried out by the Arab Contractors, describing it as “one of the best.” He directed the Federal Controller of Works in Abia to visit all ongoing federal government project sites in the state at least once a week, aiming to detect potential problems early and prevent road failures. The minister emphasized the president’s commitment to providing functional and durable road infrastructure, noting the adoption of concrete pavements that can last between 50 and 100 years.

The Federal Government plans to toll completed roads through public‑private partnerships to ensure sustained maintenance. Umahi highlighted that new concrete roads would require minimal upkeep—almost 0.001 percent over the next 50 years. He warned that substandard work would not be tolerated on any federal road, citing his decision to dismiss expatriates from a site because of poor performance.

Project Manager Sherif Fadel of Arab Contractors attributed the slow pace of execution to persistent rainfall and funding delays, although he noted that payments have recently improved. Local residents such as Chukwuebuka Nwankwo and Oluchi Ukachi praised the quality of work so far and urged contractors to increase their pace for quicker completion.

The completed expressway is expected to boost economic activities and ease hardship for the people. As a key infrastructure project, its completion is a national priority, especially given its poor condition when President Tinubu assumed office. With the Federal Government aiming for a December deadline, progress is being closely monitored, and the use of concrete pavements and tolling plans are central to delivering durable, well‑maintained infrastructure.