Umahi inspects Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja road

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said the ongoing Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway will reduce travel time between Ebonyi State and Abuja to about three hours upon completion.

Umahi stated this on Sunday while inspecting construction works at Kilometre 118 of Section One of the superhighway in Ebonyi State.

He described the project as one of President Bola Tinubu’s flagship legacy infrastructure initiatives designed to improve connectivity between the South-South, South-East and North-Central regions.

The minister said the highway, when completed, would stimulate economic activities and ease the movement of people and goods across the country.

If you are in Ebonyi, you will get to Abuja in about three hours. From the South-South, you can get to Abuja in about six hours when these projects are completed,” he said.

According to him, Section One stretches about 123.5 kilometres from Cross River through Ebonyi to the Benue boundary.

Section Two, measuring 168 kilometres, has been awarded and will run through Benue, parts of Enugu, Kogi and terminate at Wote in Nasarawa State before linking Abuja.

Umahi explained that the superhighway connects seamlessly with other ongoing federal projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Makurdi–Ninth Mile Road, creating a strategic transport corridor nationwide.

He commended the contractor, InfoQuest Nigeria Limited, for the quality and pace of work, noting that construction was progressing simultaneously from multiple fronts to accelerate delivery.

“Work is advancing from both the Onueke axis and Iseke Junction, while additional construction teams will soon commence earthworks on different sections of the alignment,” he said.

Umahi also praised H-Link Construction Company for the ongoing flyover project at Onueke, saying the firm had demonstrated commitment despite delays in payment.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the rehabilitation of the worst seven-kilometre section of the 19-kilometre Edembe Road in Izzi Local Government Area, with work expected to commence in August.

The minister appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to facilitate the removal of structures affected by the project’s right-of-way, particularly around the Enugu-Abakaliki Road corridor, to enable construction of dual carriageways and flyovers.

He expressed confidence that the state government would cooperate, recalling similar support during the Onueke flyover project.

On whether road users could ply completed sections before full completion, Umahi said: “The first carriageway is already under construction while the second carriageway has been designed. Different engineering teams will handle different sections simultaneously.”

Addressing concerns over insecurity in parts of Benue where the road passes, he assured that President Tinubu had directed security agencies to protect workers and ensure construction was not disrupted by criminal elements.

Umahi defended the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure drive, saying ongoing road projects were clear evidence of government commitment to national development.

He dismissed criticisms from opposition politicians, particularly Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, arguing that the administration’s achievements in road infrastructure spoke for themselves.

“Borrowing to finance critical infrastructure is an investment in Nigeria’s future because improved transportation networks would drive economic growth, enhance productivity and attract investment,” he said.

The minister maintained that President Tinubu’s legacy projects, including the Calabar–Abuja Superhighway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, would redefine Nigeria’s road infrastructure and boost national integration.