Come 2027, Tinubu is poised for another victory, according to Umahi

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has officially opened the completed 15km sections of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway to traffic, and in doing so, expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will emerge victorious in the 2027 election, citing his administration's achievements as a major factor.

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The completion of this road has significantly reduced travel time from Enugu to Onitsha, which previously took seven hours, and has also brought an end to years of inadequate infrastructure development in the South-East region.

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Umahi called upon the governors of the South East to promote and showcase President Tinubu's accomplishments in the region, as well as mobilize support for his reelection bid in 2027.

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The Minister urged the people of the South East to vote for President Tinubu in 2027, emphasizing that this would enable the completion of various projects that are nearing completion across the zone.

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Prior to the current administration, the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, a critical highway and one of the busiest routes in the Southeast, had deteriorated substantially, with the project, originally awarded before 2023, experiencing prolonged delays and minimal progress.

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The federal government's intervention accelerated construction, with the contract being restructured and reinforced concrete pavement introduced on key sections to ensure the road's durability.

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A 72-kilometre stretch of the road is being rebuilt using high-quality concrete technology, designed to last between 50 and 100 years with minimal maintenance, while part of the project remains under its original contractor.

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The total cost of reconstructing the road now exceeds ₦350 billion, combining both the existing contract and the newly reviewed sections, with the first 15 kilometres of the concrete pavement nearly completed and opened to traffic ahead of the Easter season.

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Additional sections, spanning 18 kilometres and 39 kilometres respectively, are at various stages of completion, with directives issued to ensure uniform construction standards across the route.

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Umahi praised President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing infrastructure development in the Southeast, highlighting multiple ongoing road projects across the region, including major corridors linking Enugu, Abakaliki, Aba, Port Harcourt, and Onitsha.

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Other federal investments, such as the Second Niger Bridge access roads, federal highways, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, and other "legacy projects," are expected to improve connectivity between the Southeast and other parts of the country.

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Ongoing reconstruction of additional roads is being carried out under various funding arrangements, including tax credit schemes and direct federal funding, with many of these projects nearing completion, according to the Minister.

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While acknowledging public concerns about unfinished road sections, Umahi insisted that work is ongoing and urged Nigerians to verify progress on-site rather than relying on outdated reports.

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The Enugu–Onitsha road project is expected to be fully completed by 2026, which the Minister described as a transformative development that would significantly reduce travel time, improve safety, and boost economic activities across the region.