By signing construction contract with Infiouest International Limited, the Federal Government yesterday kicked-off another road project. It is the third of such in the Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects.
The agreement, sealed in Abuja by the Works Ministry and representatives of the company, entails Section I of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Apo (Abuja) Superhighway.
The section will begin at a point on the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Highway (part of the Africa Trans-Sahara route), traverse Cross River, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, and terminate in Apo, Abuja, the Federal Capital City (FCT).
Section 1 of the 118.85-kilometer project involves the reconstruction of the existing road, which comprises jointed asphalt concrete and laterite-surfaced pavements.
The upgrade will feature Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) and will span from Ndibe Beach, passing through Eke Market, Abaomege, Onueke, Achiagu, Umuoghara/Onu Nwafor, Ukwuachi, Ishieke, and Odomoke, before concluding at Mbeke, in Ebonyi State.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, who signed for the government, said the initiative aligns with the inclusive leadership principles of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA), emphasizing diverse perspectives in distributing democratic dividends and advancing the road infrastructure revolution master plan.
The Tinubu Administration has commenced work on two major road projects – Lagos-Calabar Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway.
At the signing, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, the minister assured Nigerians that the four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects are transformative investments aimed at revitalising the country’s socio-economic fortunes, driving economic diversification, and fostering a sustainable transportation ecosystem.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the legacy projects for enhancing transportation along the economic corridors of the Southeast and Northcentral, Umahi emphasised its potential to stimulate trade, agricultural development, inter-regional cooperation, and seamless movement of goods and services between the regions.
Commending President Tinubu for continuing inherited road projects across the six geopolitical zones, Umahi reassured the public of the government’s commitment to executing the four legacy road projects.
The minister said: “Mr. President has engaged in four critical investments, which we call four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects.
“Lagos – Calabar 750 kilometres sections 1 and 2, construction already going on very well, despite all the envy and jealousy by people that even took us to court. But that project is a must.
“We’re supporting Mr. President to have that project accomplished. I’ve always said it’s not just a project; it is an investment.
“Very soon, we are starting 3A and 3B, which is in Cross River and Akwa Ibom. And then, we’ll also start that of Ondo State. So, we will accomplish all that.
“Of course, Mr. President is starting to accomplish all that; there is the 1,068-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway. Two sections are already ongoing.
“The very lengthy one; the biggest any state got in these four legacy projects, is the Kebbi Section (about 258 kilometers. It’s ongoing. We’ve flagged it off, and we have paid the first mobilisation fee.
“The work is ongoing there, and of course, Sokoto, 120 kilometers. Work is also ongoing. We thank the President very much.”
On the third and fourth legacy projects, he said: “This is the third legacy project, and this one is passing through the Southeast extending to Cross River and then comes to Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja. We also have a project we inherited from the past administration, which is Makurdi to Ninth mile.
“This one is criss-crossing it. So, this is very good for the country and this is what Mr. President is doing in every part of the country.
“The fourth legacy project is the 439-kilometre Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Road. This project was awarded before now to CGC under the funding of the China Exim Bank, but nothing could happen.
“So, the President directed that the projects be redesigned using reinforced concrete, which we are concluding now.
“Our aim in 2025 is that part of the counterpart funding of the Federal Government should be used to kick start this project just like every other project on the EPC plus F.
“So, this is what you are doing. The President has not stopped any of the inherited projects.”
Infiouest Managing Director Joseph Abou Jaounde promised to justify the confidence reposed in his organisation.
He said: “I want to say thank you for the trust. I know this trust in Infiouest is a load on our shoulders. We have to carry on with this goal, and we have to prove that we trust in the right place.”
