….Says Calabar–Abuja Superhighway will cut Ebonyi-Abuja travel time to three hours
By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
ABAKALIKI — Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said no opposition candidate in the 2027 presidential election can match President Bola Tinubu’s achievements, particularly in infrastructure.
Umahi stated this on Monday while inspecting ongoing construction at Kilometre 118 of Section One of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway in Ebonyi State.
He said the administration’s infrastructure projects would strengthen President Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 election.
The minister also said the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, one of the Federal Government’s flagship road projects, would reduce travel time between Ebonyi State and Abuja to about three hours when completed.
He described the highway as a transformative project designed to improve connectivity between the South-South, South-East and North-Central regions, while boosting economic activities and easing the movement of people and goods.
According to Umahi, the first section of the project spans about 123.5 kilometres from Cross River through Ebonyi to the Benue boundary, while the second section, measuring 168 kilometres, has been awarded and will run through Benue, parts of Enugu and Kogi before terminating at Wote in Nasarawa State and linking Abuja.
He said the highway would connect with other ongoing federal road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Makurdi–Ninth Mile Road, creating a strategic transport corridor 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.
Umahi commended the contractor, InfoQuest Nigeria Limited, for the quality and pace of work, noting that construction was progressing simultaneously from multiple locations to accelerate delivery.
He disclosed that work was advancing from both the Onueke axis and Iseke Junction, while additional construction teams would soon begin earthworks on other sections of the alignment.
The minister also praised H-Link Construction Company for the ongoing Onueke flyover project, describing its performance as commendable despite delays in payment.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the rehabilitation of the worst seven-kilometre stretch of the 19-kilometre Edembe Road in Izzi Local Government Area, with work expected to begin in August.
Umahi appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to facilitate the removal of structures affected by the project’s right-of-way, particularly along the Enugu-Abakaliki Road corridor, to enable the construction of dual carriageways and flyovers.
He expressed confidence that the state government would provide the required support, recalling similar cooperation during the construction of the Onueke flyover.
Responding to questions on whether completed sections of the superhighway would be opened to motorists before the entire project is finished, Umahi said construction would continue simultaneously on different segments without disrupting progress.
“The first carriageway is already under construction while the second carriageway has been designed. Different engineering teams will handle different sections simultaneously,” he said.
Speaking on the 2027 election, Umahi dismissed criticisms from opposition politicians, saying the Tinubu administration’s road infrastructure projects speak for themselves.
He argued that borrowing to finance critical infrastructure is an investment in Nigeria’s future, adding that improved transportation networks would drive economic growth, enhance productivity and attract investment.
According to him, legacy projects such as the Calabar–Abuja Superhighway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway would redefine Nigeria’s road infrastructure and strengthen national integration.
Commenting on criticism from Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Umahi defended the administration’s infrastructure programme and maintained that the projects under construction would be judged by their long-term impact on national development.
