The Enugu-Onitsha Expressway project, a crucial infrastructure development initiative in Nigeria’s South-East region, has been assigned a firm completion deadline of May 10, 2026. This decisive action followed a high-level meeting convened at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja, bringing together key stakeholders including the Minister of Works, David Umahi, representatives from MTN, the project’s financier under the Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment (Tax Credit) Scheme, and the contracted construction company, RCC Company Nig. Ltd. The meeting aimed to address persistent delays and funding challenges that have hampered the project’s progress, threatening its timely delivery and the anticipated benefits it promises for the region. The Minister underscored the critical importance of adhering to this new deadline, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring quality infrastructure development and holding all parties accountable for their respective roles in the project’s execution.
Minister Umahi delivered a stern message to MTN, holding them directly responsible for ensuring the road’s long-term durability and performance. He cautioned that any structural failures arising from substandard construction practices by RCC would be attributed to MTN’s oversight. This clear articulation of responsibility aimed to ensure that MTN actively monitored the contractor’s adherence to quality standards and did not prioritize financial considerations over the project’s integrity. He firmly stated that no cost variations would be entertained unless they strictly adhered to the contractual agreements. This stance underscored the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in public infrastructure projects, aiming to prevent unnecessary cost escalations and delays.
The Minister’s emphasis on accountability extended beyond the project’s physical construction to encompass the financial aspects. He warned MTN against prioritizing profit maximization over timely funding of the project, stressing that such a strategy would lead to further delays and undermine public trust in the government’s infrastructure development agenda. To solidify this commitment, he insisted on a formal agreement between the Ministry and MTN, outlining clear timelines for funding disbursements and addressing potential cost variations within the confines of the existing contract. This formalized agreement served as a crucial mechanism for ensuring transparency, accountability, and ultimately, the timely completion of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway project.
A central point of contention during the meeting revolved around the quality of materials being used in the construction process. Minister Umahi strongly criticized RCC for utilizing subpar materials, specifically highlighting the use of peeled sand, which he deemed unsuitable for a project of this magnitude and likely to compromise the road’s long-term durability. He directed RCC to immediately switch to river sand, a superior material already accounted for in the project budget, thus ensuring adherence to quality standards without incurring additional costs. This decisive intervention underscores the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the construction of a robust and durable roadway, capable of withstanding the demands of heavy traffic and contributing to the long-term economic development of the region.
Furthermore, the Minister addressed the issue of cost variations, expressing strong disapproval of RCC’s approach to project costing. He cited a specific instance where the company, after executing a project valued at N38 billion, subsequently requested a variation of N14 billion. Minister Umahi categorically rejected such practices, often justified by contractors using the pretext of inflation, and firmly instructed RCC to adhere strictly to the contractually agreed-upon procedures for cost variations. This firm stance aimed to curb inflated costs and ensure financial discipline in the execution of the project, safeguarding public funds and promoting transparency in the infrastructure development process.
The Enugu-Onitsha Expressway project holds significant economic promise for the South-East region of Nigeria. Upon completion, the dual-carriageway is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the two major commercial hubs of Enugu and Onitsha, facilitating smoother and more efficient movement of goods and people. This enhanced connectivity is anticipated to stimulate economic growth, boost trade activities, and contribute to the overall development of the region. The project’s successful completion is therefore of paramount importance, and the Ministry’s proactive measures to address existing challenges and ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards underscore its commitment to delivering this crucial infrastructure upgrade for the benefit of the region and the nation as a whole.
