The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has instructed Arab Contractors, responsible for the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, to complete the remaining 4.5-kilometre section in Abia by the end of November.
Mr Umahi issued this directive on Friday in Aba following an inspection of the project’s progress.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on this section, warning that the contract would be revoked if the deadline was not met.
“I am not pleased with the progress on this 4.5 km out of the total 112 km of the road.
“I am charging you today. By the end of November, all laterite, sharp sand, and concrete work must be completed on this road.
“If this is not accomplished, I will revoke the contract,” Mr Umahi stated.
He assured the contractor of prompt payment, describing the administration of President Bola Tinubu as “a reliable partner that does not default on its financial obligations.”
“The president is not the type to ask you to work without paying you. You will be compensated, as we have already paid you for the other sections, and we will pay for this one too,” he added.
Mr Umahi commended Governor Alex Otti of Abia for his unwavering commitment to the state’s development and for supporting the president’s infrastructure agenda.
“Governor, I thank you; your drive for the development of Abia is unparalleled. The president has shown significant attention to the affairs of the South-East, with road infrastructure being a key focus,” he remarked.
He also praised the contractors for their integrity and quality of work, recalling how the company had previously prioritised completing existing projects over taking on new ones.
Mr Umahi further directed the Federal Ministry of Works’ Controller in Abia to ensure stringent supervision, vowing to return to the site weekly to monitor progress.
“I will return every week to assess the situation. Complete the sharp sand filling and the concrete work; let us be left with the stone base and the binders,” he instructed the company.
In his comments, Mr Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting federal projects for the benefit of the people of Abia. He pledged full support to ensure the timely completion of the Aba segment of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress made, noting that with only 4.5 km remaining, the end was in sight. He indicated that he had secured a commitment for the project to be inaugurated by December.
“Whatever it takes, as the Honourable Minister has said, I will be coming here frequently. I live here with you, and if you need anything, please let me know,” Mr Otti stated.
He commended the contractors for the quality of work accomplished thus far and hinted at the possibility of further projects for the company upon successful completion of the current one.
Additionally, the zonal manager of Arab Contractors, Mohammed Elian, revealed that only five per cent of the work remained, expressing commitment to completing it by December.
Mr Elian praised the Abia government for the improved security situation in the state and commended the minister for his efforts towards completing the project.
He noted that the project’s scope included the road from Umuahia Tower to Aba Township, with the majority of the work, particularly the dualisation, already completed.
“What remains in the project is just 4.5 kilometres on one side, which constitutes about five per cent of the entire project,” he explained.
He stated that his company had received directives from its management to deploy its “full force” to ensure timely delivery and acknowledged the Federal Government’s promise of continued funding, which he said was crucial for completing the remaining work.
“By God’s grace (Inshallah), we will do our utmost to complete the project by December,” Mr Elian assured.
Earlier, Chidi Uwaeziozi, the controller of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abia, reported that the Port Harcourt-bound lane of the road had reached an advanced stage of completion, while the entire Enugu-bound lane had been fully completed.
“On the right-hand side, which is the Port Harcourt-bound lane, only 4.5 km remains, covering both the main carriageway and the service lane,” Mr Uwaeziozi stated.
He expressed strong optimism regarding the timely completion of the project ahead of the December inauguration date.