Governor Umahi praises local construction firms, tours Ndibe bridge connecting Ebonyi and Cross River states

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has praised indigenous contractors working on federal highway projects for their speed and quality of work, citing their performance as evidence of Nigeria's growing local engineering capabilities.

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Umahi made these remarks during an inspection of ongoing construction along a section of the Calabar corridor of the President's legacy road projects and the Ndibe bridge linking Ebonyi State and Cross River State.

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Nigerian construction firms involved in the projects have shown strong commitment to national development, with several commencing work before receiving mobilisation funds, according to the minister.

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The corridor is part of a 465-kilometre highway that will eventually connect southern Nigeria to the Federal Capital Territory, creating a major economic and transport corridor, Umahi explained.

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Many local contractors have demonstrated remarkable patriotism, with some working without mobilisation funds, and at least eight indigenous contractors under the Federal Ministry of Works are currently executing projects without mobilisation, Umahi said.

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He contrasted this approach with that of some expatriate companies, which often delay work while assessing political and economic conditions before committing resources.

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Indigenous firms see themselves as partners in nation-building, with companies like Hitech Construction Company delivering projects with the same level of professionalism and quality as foreign firms, according to Umahi.

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The project begins from Calabar and stretches from Ndibe Beach through Afikpo, Amasiri and Onueke before connecting through the South-South and South-East corridors to Ukwachi and the old Enugu–Abakaliki road.

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The road continues through Mbeke Ishieke and terminates at the boundary between Ebonyi and Benue State, Umahi explained.

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Section One of the project covers about 125.5 kilometres with a contract value of approximately ₦454 billion, and the Federal Government has already paid 30 per cent of the contract sum under the EPC+F funding model.

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The government provides 30 per cent of the funding while contractors source the remaining 70 per cent through financing, according to Umahi.

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The road is being constructed using concrete pavement technology, which can last up to 100 years with minimal maintenance, and Umahi said concrete pavement has come to stay in Nigeria due to its durability.

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The project also includes major bridge infrastructure, including a 25-span bridge measuring about 700 metres and another bridge of approximately 1.5 kilometres, Umahi disclosed.

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The bridge components are being installed using an advanced launching system in which cranes move along the piers to position beams, rather than operating from the ground, according to Umahi.

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Superstructure works are already at advanced stages, and Umahi expressed optimism that the project could be completed earlier than the official 36-month timeline if the current pace is sustained.

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If the contractors continue at this speed and the timeline is extended by about nine months, the project can be completed earlier than scheduled, Umahi said.

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About 11 kilometres of dual carriageway have already been completed along parts of the corridor, and Umahi directed contractors to establish an additional concrete production plant at Onueke to accelerate construction from multiple fronts.

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The project forms part of four major legacy infrastructure corridors being implemented by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across the country, Umahi explained.

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The road will eventually connect with the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, creating an integrated transport network linking several regions, according to Umahi.

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Other related projects include the Second Niger Bridge Bypass, a 17.5-kilometre dual carriageway estimated at about ₦170 billion, and sections of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway currently undergoing reconstruction.

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Part of the Enugu–Onitsha road project covering 107 kilometres is being executed by MTN Nigeria under the Federal Government’s tax credit scheme, while another 92-kilometre section is being handled by Sinohydro Construction Company Limited using concrete pavement technology, Umahi said.

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About 50 per cent of the concrete section has already been completed, and Umahi commended state authorities for helping resolve issues relating to compensation for affected properties.

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On the Ndibe bridge project in Afikpo Local Government Area, Umahi said work was progressing despite the rainy season, with the project estimated at about ₦55 billion and designed to link the area to the Calabar coastal highway corridor.

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Although about ₦3 billion has so far been released to the contractor, significant progress has already been made, and Umahi added that beam launching for the bridge would soon commence using a modern method.