Umahi Highlights Progress on N668bn Highway Linking South-East to North-Central

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has highlighted progress on the N668 billion section of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway, describing the project as a major economic corridor expected to boost trade and connectivity between the South-East, South-South and North-Central regions.

Speaking during an inspection tour of federal infrastructure projects in Ebonyi State on Saturday, Umahi said construction was advancing on key sections of the highway, which traverses Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states.

According to the minister, Section Two of the project, stretching from the Ebonyi border through Benue and Kogi states to Nasarawa State, was awarded at a cost of N668 billion and is expected to play a strategic role in opening up agricultural and commercial activities across the corridor.

“The Trans-Saharan Superhighway is not just a road; it is an investment corridor that will catalyse trade in agricultural produce such as cassava, yam, cashew and palm oil while strengthening economic links between regions and neighbouring Cameroon,” Umahi said.

He disclosed that parts of the project have attained about 28 per cent completion despite the rainy season, attributing the pace of work to the use of concrete pavement technology.

Umahi also provided an update on Section One of the highway, which has been expanded from 118 kilometres to 123.6 kilometres at a contract cost of N45 billion, with dualisation works currently underway.

The minister said the broader highway project was among several strategic road investments being undertaken to improve transportation infrastructure and support economic growth across the country.

He further noted that the project revives a road concept first conceived during the colonial era but left unimplemented for decades.

During the inspection tour, the delegation visited major infrastructure sites along the corridor, including critical bridges under construction and the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The bridge, which links Ebonyi State with Cross River State, is expected to be completed by December 2026 and is anticipated to improve the movement of people and goods between the two states.

The team also inspected the Onueke Flyover project in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District. Umahi said the ₦35 billion project is designed to reduce traffic congestion along the busy route and improve traffic flow.

In addition, officials inspected the completed concrete-pavement link road connecting communities in Ebonyi and Cross River states through the Okposi-Ukawu and Ugwulangu-Abaomege axis.

Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru commended the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments in the South-East, saying ongoing projects would support economic development and improve access to markets across the region.

The inspection formed part of the National Media Tour organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team to assess major infrastructure projects being executed under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The delegation is expected to continue its tour in Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Imo states.