The federal government directed that the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway be reopened for public use on or before March 31.
“I have given the controller the authority. By the 31st or before, he should call the press to open this road. Call the people of South-East, let them know that this road is open for travel, and that will be our Easter celebration,” Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declared during an inspection of ongoing projects in Enugu, including the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway and the Eke-Obinagu Flyover.
Umahi expressed confidence that the era of frequent fatal accidents, endless traffic, and public frustration along the expressway is coming to an end.
“I’m going around the six geopolitical zones assessing what is possibly to be commissioned before May 29 by the president. There are mega projects that the president will be available for before May 29, and we mean it,” he said.
Once regarded as one of the region’s most dangerous highways, the Enugu–Onitsha Road had long been plagued by tanker explosions, fatal accidents, and economic disruptions. Umahi said decisive intervention by the Tinubu administration has changed the trajectory.
Now, this route, the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, you’ll recall that when we came on board, every day people were talking about this road. There were a lot of tanker accidents, many lives lost, and so forth. But my joy is that the whole thing is a past story, because the president has swung into action,” he stated.
The dual carriageway, spanning 107 kilometres on each side, is undergoing a major structural upgrade, with a significant portion being converted from asphalt to concrete for greater durability.
“It is not only that we are repairing this road, about half of it is going to be concrete. I have no confidence in asphalt. By the time the asphalt fails, we will have 50 per cent of the road still intact. And if it fails within the second tenure of the president, rest assured we will fix it,” Umahi said.
The same approach is being applied to sections in Anambra State, including the Head Bridge axis, where an initial asphalt design is being replaced with concrete pavement to meet modern highway standards.
