Works Minister Dave Umahi has announced that phase three of the East-West Road—a 15-kilometre, four-lane dual concrete highway from Eleme to Onne in Rivers State—will be completed before the end of the year. He also promised that the Eleme axis of the road would be opened to the public within the next ten days.
Speaking during an inspection of the road’s progress, Umahi emphasised the strategic economic importance of the corridor, which links key industrial facilities including petrochemical plants, a refinery, and Indorama.
“This project is within a very serious economic corridor of Nigeria. We have a lot of facilities here. So, this is very important. I am very happy with the quality of work being done,” he said.
He urged the contractor to expedite work on the Eleme section for inauguration within ten days, expressing confidence that the deadline would be met.
The minister also explained that some sections initially designed to feature flyovers and bridges would be temporarily finished with asphalt to allow for full structural work during the dry season.
“The entire section will be opened. Some sections earmarked for flyovers and bridges will use asphalt temporarily until the dry season when work on the flyovers will resume,” Umahi stated.
He revealed that by June 1, work would resume on the Onne to Port Harcourt section, continuing the standards applied on the Eket-bound side.
Praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his dedication to infrastructure, Umahi 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.”
Highlighting the durability and quality of the project, Umahi said it is designed to last between 50 and 100 years without maintenance.
The total cost of the 30-kilometre, four-lane road project is N156 billion. It will feature solar street lighting, CCTV surveillance, toll points, and relief parks to discourage roadside parking.
“It’s going to be a beauty on earth when we finish,” he concluded.