FG Moves to Reopen Long-Troubled Enugu–Onitsha Highway Before Easter

Abuja — Motorists may soon return to the long-distressed Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, as the Federal Government says it is working to reopen the critical corridor on or before March 31 following extensive reconstruction.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, gave the timeline after inspecting sections of the road and other ongoing projects in Enugu, signalling what authorities describe as a major turnaround for a highway once synonymous with deadly crashes, crippling gridlock and economic disruption.

According to him, officials on site have been directed to make the route motorable ahead of the Easter period, effectively restoring movement along one of the South-East’s busiest transport links.

For years, the highway has been a nightmare for commuters and transporters, plagued by tanker explosions, frequent accidents and prolonged traffic standstills. Umahi, however, said recent interventions by the administration of President Bola Tinubu have altered that trajectory, with visible progress now recorded across key sections.

He explained that the ongoing work goes beyond routine repairs, describing it as a structural overhaul. A significant stretch of the dual carriageway—spanning about 107 kilometres on each flank—is being converted from asphalt to reinforced concrete, a shift the minister said would deliver greater durability and reduce long-term maintenance concerns.

The same upgrade model, he added, is being extended into parts of Anambra State, particularly around the head bridge axis, where earlier asphalt designs are being replaced to meet modern engineering standards.

In addition to the reconstruction, the project incorporates solar-powered street lighting and safety enhancements aimed at improving night travel and reducing accidents.

Umahi said the inspection forms part of a broader nationwide review of projects lined up for commissioning before May 29, noting that several large-scale infrastructure works are nearing completion.

He also used the occasion to highlight what he described as renewed federal attention to infrastructure in the South-East, urging residents to support ongoing efforts to reverse years of neglect and strengthen regional connectivity.

The minister warned against narratives that could undermine public confidence in the projects, insisting that the current intervention marks a decisive step toward restoring the road’s economic and social importance.