Gov. Alex Otti, Works Minister Dave Umahi Inspect Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Project, Urge Contractors to Accelerate Work

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, and the Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Dave Umahi, CON, on Friday, October 31, 2025, jointly inspected sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway under reconstruction, charging contractors to intensify efforts and ensure timely delivery.

The inspection came after the Federal Government’s recent threat to terminate the portion handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) due to delays, a decision now withdrawn following Governor Otti’s intervention and assurances of faster progress.

During the visit, Minister Umahi commended Governor Otti for his developmental strides and for maintaining a strong working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he described as a model of federal-state synergy.

“The infrastructural guru, the Governor of Abia State, has shown what true leadership means,” Umahi said. “President Tinubu doesn’t care about party lines when it comes to development. He loves Governor Otti, and the Governor loves him too. Abia people are lucky to have such a leader. You can see the difference in Aba—clean, orderly, and developing fast.”

Umahi criticized CCECC’s slow progress, describing it as unacceptable that 43 kilometers could take a decade to complete. He praised the President’s renewed commitment to completing the road within two years, highlighting the improvement in travel time from Onne Port to Abia, now reduced from hours to just 30 minutes.

At the CCECC section, Umahi noted that the company had resumed full operations thanks to Governor Otti’s mediation. “You are the one who brokered peace between the Federal Government and CCECC. Their return to site is because of your effort,” he told the Governor.

Inspecting another section handled by Arab Contractors, Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with their slow progress on the remaining 4.5 kilometers of the 112-kilometer stretch and warned that the contract could be revoked if improvements were not made.

In his response, Governor Otti thanked Umahi for heeding his appeal to suspend the termination threat, emphasizing that his only demand from the contractors was quality and timely delivery.

“The road had been in a terrible state for over ten years, forcing people to pass through Etche to reach Abia from Port Harcourt,” Otti said. “Roads are vital because they create access. Without them, everything stalls. For our people, who are industrious and entrepreneurial, we must provide the environment for trade to thrive.”

Governor Otti also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Ministry of Works for approving Abia’s takeover of several federal roads, including Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, Owerrinta–Umuikaa dualization, Onuimo–Tower dualization, Ohafia–Arochukwu Road, and Omenuko Bridge.

“I have always said, once elections are over, governance takes over,” Otti said. “Opposition does not mean telling lies or denying good work. We must work together with the Federal Government and local councils for our people’s benefit.”

The Governor thanked Abians for their strong support, describing it as organic and heartfelt, and prayed for continued blessings upon the State.