Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, says the ongoing Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway will unlock economic opportunities, boost agricultural trade and strengthen regional connectivity across Nigeria.
Speaking during an inspection of federal road projects in Ebonyi State on Saturday, Umahi described the highway as a strategic investment corridor that will drive commerce across the South-East, South-South and North-Central regions.
“The Trans-Sahara Superhighway is not just a road; it is an investment corridor that will catalyse trade in agricultural produce like cassava, yams, cashews and palm oil, while also connecting Nigeria to Cameroon,” he said.
The minister disclosed that construction is progressing on the first 123.6-kilometre section of the highway, while a second section stretching through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states has been awarded at a cost of ₦668 billion.
According to him, some sections of the project have already reached about 28 per cent completion despite the rainy season.
“It is a colonial-era dream long forgotten, but President Tinubu has revived it, and construction is now underway. We must thank him immensely,” Umahi said.
He noted that the project, conceived during the colonial era, had remained unrealised for decades before being revived under the current administration.
The minister also argued that improved road infrastructure would accelerate economic growth by opening up farming communities and easing the movement of goods and services.
During the inspection tour, officials visited several infrastructure projects, including the 1.3-kilometre Ndi-Egbe Bridge linking Ebonyi and Cross River states, which is expected to be completed by December 2026, and the ₦35 billion Onueke Flyover in Ebonyi State.
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru commended the federal government’s infrastructure drive and highlighted projects being executed across the state.
“We have kept contractors busy in the state with projects spread across every local government area, from rural roads to primary health centres and water schemes,” Nwifuru said.
The governor also reiterated his administration’s security achievements, saying Ebonyi remains one of the safest states in the country.
“We do not even view the road projects as a big deal because we have road projects scattered all over the state,” he added.
The inspection tour was organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team and will continue in Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Imo states.