Tinubu to visit South-East, South-South in May – Presidency

2026-02-17 - 00:09

...as FG targets road completions By Davies Iheamnachor, Port Harcourt Port Harcourt — President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to visit the South-East and South-South regions on May 12, 2026, to inaugurate key road projects targeted for completion in April, the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, has announced. Umahi made the revelation after inspecting the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State and the Eleme axis of the East-West road in Rivers State, stating that the Federal Government has intensified works on major highways across the South-South, with several strategic corridors set for commissioning during the President’s visit. A flagship project is the 43-kilometre dualisation of the Aba–Port Harcourt highway, a vital economic link between Abia and Rivers states. Officials said the road is about 90% complete, following years of delays due to funding constraints before the current administration intervened. “The contractor has completed over 90% of the Aba-bound carriageway after focusing resources on one side to fast-track delivery. Outstanding payments, running into billions, will be addressed within weeks,” Umahi said. Both the Chinese contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and a newly engaged indigenous firm handling the opposite carriageway will receive funds to sustain progress. Umahi added that contractors are responsible for the quality of completed sections for twelve months, with accountability measures in place. The Minister also noted that completed highways will feature reinforced concrete, solar-powered streetlights, CCTV surveillance, speed monitoring systems, and security patrol vans. “Solar installations are expected to commence within days, with broader integration of intelligent traffic systems before September. The initiative aligns with the administration’s directive to transform major highways into secure and technologically monitored corridors,” he said. President Tinubu’s planned visit underscores the administration’s commitment to improving critical transport infrastructure while promoting local contractor participation to enhance domestic capacity and competition.