The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has commended the quality and pace of ongoing federal road projects in Rivers State, while warning that the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty trucks on highways could damage the infrastructure.
Umahi made the remarks on Saturday during an inspection tour of key road construction projects, including sections of the East-West Road. He praised the construction firm, RCC, for delivering high-quality work despite funding challenges that temporarily slowed progress.
He expressed satisfaction with the engineering standards, noting that the project involves complex processes such as deep excavation, sandstone base reinforcement, and concrete layering.
Speaking on the Onne axis of the East-West Road, Umahi stated that the contractor remains fully mobilised and that the government is not indebted to RCC on the project.
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He explained that the perceived slow pace of work is due to the technical nature of the construction, assuring that quality will not be compromised in the pursuit of speed.
The minister disclosed that the initial timeline to commission parts of the road by May may be extended to allow for additional features, including solar-powered street lighting, tree planting, and the construction of retaining walls.
Umahi also projected that the first phase of the project will be completed by August, while subsequent phases involving flyovers and bridges are expected to be finalised within the year. He credited President Bola Tinubu for redesigning the project from asphalt to concrete, a move he said will ensure durability.
Providing further updates, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Tarilade Enwerema, also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work. She revealed that the right-hand carriageway (Eket-bound) has been fully completed, while construction on the Port Harcourt-bound section is advancing steadily.
Enwerema added that the Onne Flyover is also on track for completion by May 2026.
“The progress is very impressive. We are working on the Onne Flyover, and everything is going as planned. Hopefully, by May, all work will be completed,” she said.
Umahi raised concerns over the increasing habit of truck drivers parking on completed sections of the road, warning that such actions could lead to rapid deterioration.
“No road project anywhere in the world is designed for static loads. These parked trucks will destroy the roads,” he said, urging the public to protect government investments estimated at over ₦230 billion for the project.
He called for improved discipline among road users and stressed the need to develop designated parking areas for trucks, adding that public cooperation is critical to preserving the infrastructure.
The minister and his team also inspected the 43-kilometre Port Harcourt–Aba Road project being constructed by JRB and expressed satisfaction with the level of work done.
Umahi also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to completing ongoing projects nationwide, while urging Nigerians, particularly those in the Niger Delta, to support the administration’s development agenda.
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