Umahi lauds local contractors on federal highway projects

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being executed by indigenous contractors handling major federal highway projects under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Umahi said the performance of local contractors on ongoing federal road projects across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly in the South-East, reflects the growing engineering capacity within Nigeria’s construction industry.
The minister made the remarks on Saturday during an inspection of ongoing federal road projects along a section of the Calabar–Lagos corridor initiated by President Tinubu.
According to him, Nigerian construction firms have demonstrated strong commitment to national development, often continuing work even before receiving mobilisation payments.
“Many of these local contractors have shown remarkable patriotism. Not fewer than eight of them under the Federal Ministry of Works are currently executing projects without mobilisation,”
“And these indigenous firms see themselves as partners in nation-building. Companies like Hitech Construction Company and others have shown that Nigerian contractors can deliver projects with the same level of professionalism and quality as foreign firms.”he said.
Umahi noted that the road project, which is expected to link at least eight states including the Federal Capital Territory, is strategically designed to boost transportation and stimulate economic activities along the corridor.
He explained that Section One of the project, covering approximately 125.5 kilometres, was awarded at a contract value of ₦454 billion.
“The corridor forms part of the first stretch of the 465-kilometre highway project that will eventually link southern Nigeria to the Federal Capital Territory, creating a strategic transport and economic hub along the route,”
“Section One of the project covers about 125.5 kilometres with a contract value of approximately ₦454 billion. The road is being constructed using concrete pavement technology, which is expected to last up to 100 years with minimal maintenance.”he said.
The minister further disclosed that the project is being funded through the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Finance (EPC+F) model.
“In line with the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Finance (EPC+F) arrangement adopted for the funding of these projects, the Federal Government provides 30 per cent of the funding while contractors source the remaining 70 per cent through financing,” he said.
Umahi, however, criticised some foreign companies for delays in project execution, attributing the situation to their cautious approach to Nigeria’s political and economic environment.
“The problem the ministry often has with some foreign companies is that they tend to weigh political and economic conditions before committing resources, which sometimes leads to delays in federal works,” he stated.
He disclosed that the project includes major bridge infrastructure, including a 25-span bridge measuring about 700 metres, as well as another bridge approximately 1.5 kilometres long. Both structures are being constructed using concrete pavement technology.
Umahi explained that the Ndibe Beach bridge components would be installed using an advanced launching system in which cranes move along the piers to position beams without the need for ground-based operations.
According to him, the superstructure works are already at advanced stages, expressing optimism that the project could be completed earlier than the official 36-month timeline if the current pace of work is maintained.
“If the contractors continue at this speed and the timeline is extended by about nine months, the project could be completed earlier than scheduled,” he said.
He added that about 11 kilometres of dual carriageway have already been completed along sections of the corridor.
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 and eventually linking to Ukwachi (Ndiebor Ishieke) and the old Enugu–Abakaliki road, extending towards Benue and other states up to Abuja.
The project forms part of four major legacy infrastructure corridors currently being implemented by the Tinubu administration across the country.
However, a portion 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.