Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, Monday, appealed to the Ebonyi state government to fast-track the removal of buildings and other structures obstructing the alignment of the ongoing Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja superhighway to enable speedy execution of the project.
Umahi made the appeal while inspecting ongoing construction works at Kilometre 118 of Section One of the 123.5-kilometre superhighway in Ebonyi State.
He said although work was progressing steadily on the project, cooperation from the state government was crucial, especially around the Enugu-Abakaliki Road corridor where several properties would have to give way for the planned dual carriageway and flyover.
“We are going to have a serious challenge around the old Enugu-Abakaliki Road because many properties are on the alignment. If the state government cooperates as it did at Onueke, we will beautify that area with a dual carriageway and a flyover. We are ready to work,” Umahi said.
The minister stated that the superhighway, one of President Bola Tinubu’s legacy infrastructure projects, stretches from the Calabar end of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa to Abuja.
He disclosed that Section One covers 123.5 kilometres, while the 168-kilometre second section extending to Nasarawa has already been awarded through competitive bidding, with mobilisation expected to commence shortly.
Umahi commended the contractor, Infoquest Nigeria Limited, for the quality and pace of work, noting that earthworks were progressing simultaneously from different sections to ensure timely completion.
He also announced that construction on the first seven kilometres of the 19-kilometre Edembe Road in Ezza South Local Government Area would begin in August, saying the most deteriorated portions had been prioritised.