Calabar–Abuja Superhighway To Reduce Ebonyi–Abuja Travel Time To Three Hours – Umahi

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said the ongoing Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway will reduce travel time between Ebonyi State and Abuja to about three hours when completed.

Umahi made the disclosure on Sunday during an inspection of construction work at Kilometre 118 of Section One of the highway in Ebonyi State, describing the project as one of President Bola Tinubu’s flagship infrastructure initiatives aimed at strengthening connectivity across the South-South, South-East and North-Central regions.

According to the minister, the superhighway is expected to transform transportation by improving the movement of people and goods while stimulating economic activities across the country.

He noted that travellers from the South-South would also benefit significantly, with travel time to Abuja expected to reduce to about six hours upon completion of the project.

Umahi explained that Section One of the highway spans approximately 123.5 kilometres, extending from Cross River through Ebonyi to the Benue boundary. He added that the 168-kilometre Section Two has already been awarded and will pass through Benue, parts of Enugu and Kogi before terminating at Wote in Nasarawa State, where it will connect to Abuja.

He said the highway would integrate with other major federal road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Makurdi–Ninth Mile Road, creating a strategic transport network across the country.

The minister commended InfoQuest Nigeria Limited for the pace and quality of work, noting that construction is progressing simultaneously from different sections of the route to ensure timely completion.

He also praised H-Link Construction Company for its commitment to the Onueke flyover project despite payment delays.

Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government has approved the rehabilitation of the most deteriorated seven-kilometre stretch of the 19-kilometre Edembe Road in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, with construction expected to commence in August.

He appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to expedite the removal of structures along the project’s right-of-way, particularly on the Enugu–Abakaliki Road corridor, to facilitate the construction of dual carriageways and flyovers.

On security concerns along parts of the route in Benue State, Umahi said President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to provide adequate protection for workers and ensure uninterrupted construction activities.

The minister defended the Federal Government’s infrastructure investment strategy, insisting that borrowing to finance critical road projects would deliver long-term economic benefits through improved transportation, increased productivity and greater investment opportunities.

He maintained that the Calabar–Abuja Superhighway, alongside the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, would significantly improve Nigeria’s road infrastructure and strengthen national integration.