The federal government has approved the re-award of the two bypasses of the 2nd Niger Bridge linking to Asaba- Benin and Enugu-Onisha dual-carriageways.
The Minister of Works, Engr Nweze David Umahi, disclosed this when he received a delegation of the South-South Caucus of the 10th Assembly, Federal House of Representatives, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, on February 5, 2025.
Umahi, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji said President Bola Tinubu also approved starting Section III of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on the Cross River—Akwa Ibom axis of the superhighway, accelerating attention to the East-West Road.
He said, “And so I want to commend the President very highly for the courage of this project. The four Legacy Projects of Mr. President are the icing on the cake. We will finish the Lagos-Calabar 700 kilometres, and with your support and, of course, by God’s special grace, the miracle of the second tenure will still come to pass, so we have time to complete this project.
I do not apologise when I say we need time to complete this project because he has started this good work. God will give him time to finish it, catalysing economic growth.”
The Minister gave an insight into the current administration’s efforts to revolutionise road infrastructure across the South, including innovations that guarantee quality, speed, and value for money.
Therefore, he solicited the support of the Federal Legislators and their respective constituencies to foster a sense of responsibility among the contractors handling projects in their domains.
He reiterated the president’s directive that non-performing contracts on federal roads be terminated and assured that by the time the president’s vision in the works sector is fully accomplished, Nigeria will achieve enviable economic growth and prosperity milestones.
While reeling out some projects in South-South that are receiving attention from the President, he said, “Just yesterday, the Federal Executive Council re‐awarded three sections of East-West road.” On Eleme- Onne road, he said. “We have agreed to commit RCC Ltd within the first carriageway of 15 kilometres, including one bridge and one flyover. But for us to get this road completed by December, as it should be, we need to engage two extra contractors. But if they are wise, they could get subcontractors and put them on that 15-kilometre stretch to save the job. But they can not keep the job when people suffer on that road.”
He said of the Agbor route, “We’ve sent the document. It will be done on PPP, so we’ve sent the amount to BPP. We will get approval by next week. Then we’ll call you so that we can do a groundbreaking ceremony. We would not want to do anything without getting you involved.
He continued, “The good news is that the President has also approved the Second Niger Bridge, the two bypasses, one in Delta State and the other one in Anambra State. And so when these two are done, then the Second Niger Bridge will be very operational and is going to help our people very, very well.”
On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, he said,” The good news is that in the good heart of Mr President, he has directed me to go and start the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Section III in Cross River and Akwa.”
The leader of the caucus, who also serves as the leader of the Bayelsa State caucus, Hon. Agbedi Yeitiemone Frederick, said their visit was to engage the Federal Ministry of Works on the state of the roads in South-South that the present administration inherited and to seek the government’s decisive action on the projects being delayed by contractors in the area.
He, however, commended the President for the recent approval of funds by the Federal Executive Council for the execution of some projects in the South-South, particularly the approval to start Section III of the Lagos—Calabar Coastal Highway in the South-South Zone.
He decried all South-South States’ difficulties connecting to the North, East, and West. He offered the caucus’ collaboration in achieving the road infrastructure goals of the Renewed Hope administration in the South-South and, indeed, Nigeria.
He said, “We know that work, projects, and construction are ongoing. But we want to seriously say that the work level is slow, and our people suffer. Our people are suffering. Today, it’s difficult for you to fly to Benin and access the other parts of Benin. Today, it’s difficult for you to land in Port Harcourt and even go through the industrial part of River State, particularly in the Eleme-Ogoni Axis. Today, if you fly to Akwa Ibom, it is difficult to access Cross River State and Calabar.”
He further appealed that contractors assist the people through employment, empowerment, and skilled development as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility to the communities where they work.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Mohammad Bello Goronyo Esq assured that the present government would fix the ailing roads, but it would require the support and cooperation of Nigerians.
He said, “The Hon The Minister has demonstrated his capacity, experience, and knowledge by bringing a lot of innovations in the discharge of the mandate of his office and in piloting the affairs of this Ministry. Through him, we can have it better. Therefore, this is the time for us to join hands together. And we are sure that you will continue to give us full support for this vision so that together we achieve our aspirations to build a virile nation, a prosperous nation, a nation that we can all be proud of.”
