Thus spoke the administration of President Bola Tinubu: That the federal government had released 30 percent mobilization funds to commence construction on two bypasses for the 2nd Niger Bridge linking Asaba-Benin and Enugu-Onitsha, according to the Federal Ministry of Works.
Reconstruction within the parameters of the flooding in Rivers State of the East-West Road is bound to be completed in December 2025 to March 2026. Umahi relayed these updates to newsmen at a press conference while inspecting ongoing federal road projects in Rivers State. The minister assured Nigerians that the reconstruction will be completed during that time frame between December 2025 and March 2026.
Umahi explained that the release of funds to important project areas, such as the Abuja-Kano Road (sections 1 and 3) and the 2nd Niger bridge bypasses constructed by CCECC and CJC, speaks to President Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development. “This is definitely a win for the Niger Delta, Anambra, and the entire country,” Umahi said and noted traffic flow would soon be eased with the completed bridge.
The Minister conducted a two-day tour inspecting federal projects and subsequently visited several sites including the Eleme-Onne Road by RCC, the Bodo-Bonny Road by Julius Berger, and the East-West Road section by SETRACO. He further stated current delays in the East-West Road were due to its complete reconstruction while still under use as well as from historical flooding damages: A road level increase of one meter is the solution from future failures, as has been adopted at Ughelli and Eket.
Umahi commended local contractors like SETRACO for their work on section 2. He added that they are complete and ready for handover by May 2025 on the 47km section 2, subsection 1. And he said that the remaining 22km of section 2:2 will reach the finish line by November 2025 so as to keep urging contractors to push ahead notwithstanding the challenge of old rates, which are under review.
