Federal Gov’t Reopens Enugu-Onitsha Expressway To Motorists March 31

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has directed that the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway be reopened for public use on or before March 31.

Umahi gave the directive on Monday during an inspection of ongoing projects in Enugu, including the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway and the Eke-Obinagu Flyover, during which he expressed confidence that the era of fatal accidents, endless traffic and public frustration on the road was over.

He said, “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.”

In a statement by his senior special assistant on Media, Mr Francis Nwaze, the minister declared that the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway is fast shedding its grim past, as the federal government intensifies a sweeping infrastructure upgrade across the South East under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said, “I’m going round the six geopolitical zones assessing what is possibly to be commissioned before May 29th by Mr President. There are mega projects that the President will be available for before May 29th, and we mean it.”

According to him, the Enugu-Onitsha Highway, once regarded as one of the most dangerous in the region, had been plagued for years by tanker explosions, loss of lives and economic disruptions.

However, the decisive intervention by the Tinubu administration has changed the trajectory.

“Now this route, the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, you recall that when we came on board, every day, people were talking about the road. There were a lot of tanker accidents, a lot of people died and so forth. But my joy is that the whole thing is a past story, because the President has swung into action,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the dual carriageway, spanning 107 kilometres on each side, is undergoing a major structural upgrade, with a significant portion converted from asphalt to concrete to ensure durability.

“It is not only that we are repairing this road… about half of it is going on to be concrete. I have no confidence in asphalt. I continue to say it. 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, then be assured that we will fix it,” he said.

He added that the same approach is being extended to sections in Anambra State, including the head bridge axis, where an initial asphalt design is being replaced with concrete pavement to align with modern highway standards.

Addressing concerns over project costs, Umahi clarified that the ministry does not unilaterally determine project pricing, noting that approvals pass through multiple regulatory layers, including the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council.

He maintained that the standard being applied to the Enugu–Onitsha project is consistent with major road projects across the country.

“The same road architecture as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway… so no discrimination with the President, everybody is the same,” Umahi said.