The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi has called on Nigerians to protect the infrastructure being put in place by the President Tinubu led administration.
Speaking during the inspection of the Eleme-Onne section of the East West road project, Senator Umahi decried the actions of tanker drivers who park heavy laden trailers on both sides of the completed sections of the road noting that their actions will lead to quick deterioration of the concrete paved roads.
“Let me appeal to the public, yesterday I was passing through this road, the entire road we have completed was completely blocked by tankers, fuel tankers, they parked on the road.”
“No road project anywhere in the world is designed for static load, they will destroy the road and if they destroy the road, it is difficult for the government to immediately come and start reconstruction.”
The Minister while thanking President Tinubu for providing an alternative funding mechanism after NNPCL stopped funding explained that the slow pace of work on the Eleme-Onne section of the East West road is linked to the difficult terrain which the contractor is working on.
He expressed confidence that the Contractor will finish the first phase of the work before August 2026.
“I want to thank Mr. President for his heart of love for the people of Niger Delta, yes there was a little setback because NNPCL that was funding this project stopped in 2025 but graciously the President decided on an alternative funding mechanism and RCC is fully on course and as at today we are not owing RCC on this road.”
“So it’s a very very highly skilled technical project and I’m very happy with the quality of work, I’m happy with the speed of work and I believe strongly that the road pavement may not be finished by May 2026 because there were additional works we created like solar lights and tree planting.”
The Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Tarilade Enwerama while expressing satisfaction with the quality of work said the Onne Flyover on the East West Road will be completed by May 2026.
“The progress of Work is very impressive, we have completed the right hand section of the road which is the Eket Bound and we are on Port Harcourt bound section, we have gotten to kilometer three almost to the end of the project and by May we are going to launch this one just as we did the other one.”
“We are also working on the Onne Flyover and everything is going as planned and hopefully by May, all works will be completed.”
The Federal Controller of Works added that the current administration is leaving no stones unturned in a bid to ensure that top quality is given in the projects delivered to the people that would last the test of time.
