Umahi commends indigenous contractors, inspects Ndibe bridge linking Ebonyi and Cross River

2026-03-15 - 18:27

By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has commended indigenous contractors handling federal highway projects for the pace and quality of work, describing their performance as proof of Nigeria’s growing local engineering capacity. Umahi made the remarks during an inspection of ongoing construction along a section of the Calabar corridor of the President’s legacy road projects and the Ndibe bridge linking Ebonyi State and Cross River State. He said Nigerian construction firms involved in the projects had demonstrated strong commitment to national development, noting that several of them commenced work even before receiving mobilisation funds. According to the minister, the corridor forms part of the first stretch of a 465-kilometre highway that will eventually link southern Nigeria to the Federal Capital Territory, creating a major economic and transport corridor. “Many of these local contractors have shown remarkable patriotism. Some of them have not been mobilised with funds yet, but they are already working. At least eight indigenous contractors under the Federal Ministry of Works are currently executing projects without mobilisation,” Umahi said. He contrasted the approach with that of some expatriate companies, which he said often delay work while assessing political and economic conditions before committing resources. “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 added. The minister explained that 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 to Ukwachi (Ndiebor Ishieke) and the old Enugu–Abakaliki road. From there, the road continues through Mbeke Ishieke and terminates at the boundary between Ebonyi and Benue State. Umahi said Section One of the project covers about 125.5 kilometres with a contract value of approximately ₦454 billion. He disclosed that the Federal Government had already paid 30 per cent of the contract sum under the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Finance (EPC+F) funding model adopted for the project. Under the arrangement, the government provides 30 per cent of the funding while contractors source the remaining 70 per cent through financing. The road is being constructed using concrete pavement technology, which the minister said could last up to 100 years with minimal maintenance. “Concrete pavement has come to stay in Nigeria because of its durability. With the quality of materials being used, these roads will last for decades,” he said. Umahi disclosed that the project also includes major bridge infrastructure, including a 25-span bridge measuring about 700 metres and another bridge of approximately 1.5 kilometres. He explained that the bridge components are being installed using an advanced launching system in which cranes move along the piers to position beams rather than operating from the ground. According to him, 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 is sustained. “If the contractors continue at this speed and the timeline is extended by about nine months, the project can be completed earlier than scheduled,” he said. The minister added that about 11 kilometres of dual carriageway had already been completed along parts of the corridor and directed contractors to establish an additional concrete production plant at Onueke to accelerate construction from multiple fronts. Umahi said the project forms part of four major legacy infrastructure corridors being implemented by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across the country. He explained that the road would eventually connect with the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, creating an integrated transport network linking several regions. Other related projects include the Second Niger Bridge Bypass, a 17.5-kilometre dual carriageway estimated at about ₦170 billion, and sections of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway currently undergoing reconstruction. According to Umahi, part 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. He revealed that about 50 per cent of the concrete section had already been completed and commended state authorities for helping resolve issues relating to compensation for affected properties. On the Ndibe bridge project in Afikpo Local Government Area, Umahi said work was progressing despite the rainy season. The project, estimated at about ₦55 billion, is designed to link the area to the Calabar coastal highway corridor. Although about ₦3 billion has so far been released to the contractor, the minister said significant progress had already been made. He added that beam launching for the bridge would soon commence using a modern method in which cranes move along the pier caps to position the beams instead of operating from the ground.