Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued an April deadline to contractors handling the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway, directing that the project must be ready for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May.
He said Tinubu would inaugurate the project on May 12 during his visit to the South-East and South-South zones.
Umahi handed down the ultimatum during an unscheduled inspection of the road on Saturday, expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on key sections of the dual carriageway.
He assured contractors that funding would not be a constraint, disclosing that arrangements had been concluded to offset outstanding payments to ensure timely delivery.
The minister was responding to an appeal by the Project Manager of Arab Contractors, Engineer Mahmoud Ismail, who sought improved cash flow to meet the deadline.
Umahi disclosed that ₦4 billion out of the ₦8.3 billion owed to one of the contractors would be paid before the end of February. He added that the Ministry of Finance had been directed to clear arrears owed to local contractors.
Commending the contractors for their patience, Umahi warned that substandard work would not be tolerated.
“They have done fantastic work. This road can last for 50 years. This project will not stop because of funds,” he said.
He explained that the project had been migrated to the Sukuk financing scheme to guarantee steady funding.
“Out of the ₦8.3 billion owed, about ₦2 billion is already captured under Sukuk. Additionally, 30 per cent of the 2025 budget has been approved for immediate payment, while the balance will be accommodated in the 2026 budget cycle starting in April,” Umahi said.
According to him, contractors could access up to ₦4.7 billion between now and the end of the month.
South-East no longer marginalised
Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, praised President Tinubu for what he described as an unprecedented federal presence in the South-East, insisting that the region was no longer marginalised.
He noted that during his tenure as governor, there was no single federal road project in Ebonyi State, a situation he said had changed under the current administration.
“There is no more marginalisation in the South-East. For the first time, we have the Minister of Works from this zone. That speaks volumes about the President’s intentions,” he said.
The minister urged South-East voters to reciprocate the gesture with massive support for Tinubu in 2027.
“From Port Harcourt to Enugu, work is ongoing. Never in Nigeria’s history has the South-East benefited like this,” he added.
2027: ‘Not yet South-East’s turn’
On the 2027 presidential race, Umahi cautioned against what he described as sentimental politics, urging the South-East to align strategically with the centre.
He appealed to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to shelve his presidential ambition and support Tinubu.
“We should tell our brother, Peter Obi, that it is not yet our turn. When it is our turn, Nigerians will know,” he said.
Umahi stressed that Tinubu deserved continuity to complete ongoing infrastructure projects nationwide.
“I don’t want anybody who will come and stop these projects. Nigerians want continuity,” he said.
Projects open to scrutiny
The minister said all projects under the Ministry of Works were open to public verification, noting that details had been forwarded to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission for independent assessment.
“If you have any petition, send it to ICPC. If you want to know what is happening, come to site,” he said.
Umahi also disclosed that defects had been detected on the Isiagu–Better Life/Lokpanta section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, warning the contractor involved to correct them immediately.
“Patch-patch work is unacceptable. Under me, no contractor will be spared,” he warned.
In an interview, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the South-East, Chioma Nweze, thanked President Tinubu for ensuring that federal projects in the region were adequately funded.
“Mr President did not abandon any of the projects he inherited. This project is one of them, and he has ensured it continues. It shows that he has included the South-East in the scheme of things,” she said.
Nweze noted that federal roads across the Eastern corridor — from Enugu to Onitsha; Onitsha to Owerri; Enugu to Port Harcourt; and Abakaliki to Enugu — were receiving attention.
She pledged continued support from the South-East for Tinubu, assuring that he would be rewarded with more votes in 2027.
Speaking separately, Arab Contractors’ Project Manager, Engineer Mahmoud Ismail, said the firm had the capacity to complete the job on schedule but appealed for timely release of funds.
“We are ready, but we need support for funding. If cash flow improves, we will finish on time,” he said, confirming an outstanding payment of ₦8.3 billion.
Umahi, accompanied by the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State, continued his inspection beyond the Oyigbo bridge into Rivers State.
