The Federal Government has declared its readiness to deliver and complete phase three of the East-West Road, particularly the 15-kilometre dual concrete carriageway from Eleme to Onne in Rivers State.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on X on Friday by President Bola Tinubu’s Personal Assistant on Special Duties, Kamorudeen Yusuf.
Yusuf said the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, confirmed that the Eleme axis will open within 10 days, while full structural completion, including flyovers and bridges, will follow during the dry season.
He added that by June 1, 2025, work will resume on the Port Harcourt-bound section of the N156 billion East-West Road that links the Niger Delta region.
“The N156 billion road project is not just a feat of engineering. It is a strategic economic corridor linking Nigeria’s vital industrial heartlands, including refineries, petrochemical plants, and export terminals.
“Designed with reinforced concrete, solar lighting, CCTV, tolling points, and rest areas, the project reflects a futuristic, durable infrastructure vision that will serve the nation for the next 50 to 100 years.
“President Tinubu’s bold leadership is transforming how roads are built in Nigeria, from temporary fixes to enduring solutions that anchor development, trade, and national cohesion,” the statement read.
The Eagle Online reports that Works Minister Dave Umahi also assured that the phase three of the East-West Road, a 15-kilometre four-lane dual concrete road from Eleme to Onne in Rivers State, will be completed before the year runs out.
The minister, who spoke while checking the progress of work on the road, also promised that the Eleme axis of the road would be open to the public in the next 10 days.
He restated the importance of the road to the economy, especially its link to key industrial assets, saying it was redesigned with reinforced concrete for durability.
Umahi said: “This project is within a very serious economic corridor of Nigeria. We have a lot of facilities here. There’s petrochemical, the refinery, Indorama, and a lot of other companies. So, this is very important. I am very happy with the quality of work being done.
- NDDC backs security agencies, assures on development projects
- Shell Nigeria Gas engages stakeholders on deepening gas distribution
- Owa Obokun coronation: Tinubu seeks stronger ties with traditional rulers
- Woman arrested for allegedly killing co-wife’s child
- Atiku, Sambo visit Aregbesola ahead of Owa Obokun’s coronation + Video
“We’ve directed the contractor to wrap up this carriageway because it’s selected for inauguration in the next ten days and they have to do it day and night. I’m very confident that they’ll achieve it.”
The minister explained that certain sections of the road initially designed with flyovers and bridges would temporarily be completed with asphalt but would have full structural installations in the dry season.
He added: “The entire section will be opened. I know that there are some sections that we earmarked for flyovers and bridges.
“I’ve directed them to use asphalt to complete that until the dry season comes and we can re-engage on the flyover. And that has been isolated as a separate item of the work.
“By June 1, 2025, they’ll go back to Onne to continue with the Port Harcourt-bound section, doing exactly what they have done on the Eket-bound section.”
Umahi hailed President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to driving infrastructural development in the country.
He said: “I commend the President very highly. He’s a man of great courage and he’s constructing roads. Before, Nigeria was building roads, but today, the President is constructing roads.
“It wasn’t easy, but with the determination of the President, the outcome is excellent.
“With the project’s quality and durability, it is going to last over 50 to 100 years without maintenance.
“The total value of the project is N156 billion and it is 30 kilometres by four lanes. It has solar lights.
“We’re going to install CCTV, put tolling points and relief parks so that people don’t park on the road again. It’s going to be a beauty on earth when we finish.”
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
