Tinubu Hands Over Key Federal Road Projects to Abia Government, Umahi Hails Otti’s Leadership

The Federal Government has officially handed over the completion of major federal road projects in Abia State to the state government, marking a new model of partnership designed to accelerate road infrastructure delivery under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a civic reception in honour of Governor Alex Otti at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba. The roads transferred to Abia include the Owerri–Umuaka Road, Onuigbo–Umuahia Road, Omezuo Bridge, and Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road—critical transport corridors linking Abia with other South-East states.

According to a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, President Tinubu approved the handover following a request by the Abia State Government and a mutual understanding between both governments.

Umahi praised Governor Otti for his “proactive and non-partisan approach” to governance, describing the partnership as a reflection of leadership anchored on people’s welfare rather than politics. “I am happy that many of our governors are taking the bull by the horns,” Umahi said, noting that the affected roads had suffered years of neglect before the recent intervention.

The Minister urged residents of Abia and the South-East to support the Tinubu administration, citing the region’s growing benefits from federal projects and key appointments, including the Chief of Air Staff. He described Tinubu’s approach as “fair and inclusive,” pointing to the ongoing reconstruction of federal highways across the South-East as proof of balanced national development.

Responding, Governor Alex Otti thanked President Tinubu for approving the state’s intervention, calling it “a practical step that adds value to the people of Abia and Nigeria at large.” He emphasized that fixing the roads mattered more than which government handled the projects, adding that Abia had previously intervened in federal infrastructure to ease citizens’ suffering.

Stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders, applauded the collaboration, describing it as a pragmatic initiative that will enhance mobility, strengthen regional commerce, and promote economic integration between Abia and neighbouring states.

Earlier in the day, Umahi, in company with Governor Otti, members of the National Assembly, and other stakeholders, inspected ongoing works on the 56.1-kilometre Section II (Umuahia Tower–Aba) of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway being handled by Arab Contractors (Nig.) Ltd.

The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s slow pace and warned it to complete the remaining 4.1 kilometres (Aba Bound) within one month. Following a 14-day notice of termination, the Ministry had descoped part of the project, allowing Arab Contractors to continue on one section while awarding the Port Harcourt-bound lane to Trucret (Nig.) Ltd, an indigenous contractor, under emergency repairs.

The project, originally awarded in January 2017 with a 30-month completion period, covers the reconstruction of the 41.4-kilometre Dual Carriageway from Aba (Railway Crossing) to Eleme Junction Flyover in Port Harcourt.

Under the new design, the Aba township median will be converted into an additional dual carriageway for traffic between Aba and Port Harcourt, while the existing lanes will serve as outer service roads within the city. The completed highway will feature eight lanes, four on each side, enhancing traffic flow and logistics.

Umahi explained that the reconstruction of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway is aimed at connecting key national economic assets, including seaports, refineries, petrochemical plants, and fertiliser industries in the coastal regions. He added that improving the corridor would boost socio-economic activity and ease traffic congestion across the South-East and South-South.

The handover of these federal roads to Abia signals a major shift in Nigeria’s infrastructure delivery model under the Tinubu administration. The Ministry of Works had earlier disclosed plans to review stalled contracts and explore cost-sharing partnerships with willing states to speed up project completion nationwide.

Officials say the Abia partnership could serve as a pilot model for similar collaborations across the country, particularly in regions where road connectivity drives trade and industrial growth.