•David Umahi (left)
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed contractors handling the ongoing Trans-Sahara Highway project to minimise the demolition of houses and properties along the road alignment.
Umahi gave the directive during inspection of the federal government’s Trans-Sahara Highway project, assuring residents and stakeholders that the administration remains committed to delivering strategic infrastructure while protecting host communities, reports Channels TV.
“Section One of the Trans-Sahara Highway covers approximately 123 kilometres from the Ebonyi axis to the Ebonyi-Benue boundary, while Section Two extends about 173.4 kilometres through parts of Benue, Enugu, and Kogi states to the Benue River and Nasarawa boundary,” Umahi said yesterday.
He noted that with a combined length of roughly 300 kilometres and a design speed of 100 km per hour, the completed highway will substantially cut travel times and boost regional connectivity.
“This project will have far-reaching economic implications for the South-East, North-Central, and South-South regions, particularly by strengthening agricultural supply chains, facilitating trade, and expanding commercial activities,” he added.
“Improved road infrastructure along this corridor will also contribute significantly to security by enhancing the mobility of security personnel and connecting previously isolated communities.”
The minister disclosed that Section One, currently designed as a single carriageway, will eventually feature a second carriageway integrated with other legacy infrastructure projects of the Tinubu administration.
He added that an 8.9-kilometre bypass around Afikpo, extending toward the Timber Shed area, would be dualised as part of the intervention.
Expressing satisfaction with the contractor handling Section Two, Umahi reaffirmed the government’s resolve to complete the project despite national budget constraints.
“We are prioritising projects in line with available resources, and I can assure you that the Trans-Sahara Highway will be completed by the end of President Tinubu’s second term in office,” he said.
Defending the administration’s handling of concessioned road projects, Umahi emphasised that officials remain mindful of legal obligations while addressing public needs.
He urged the public and media practitioners to verify facts before commenting on complex engineering, contractual, or legal matters.
“Where necessary, the federal government has intervened outside the original scope of certain contracts to protect citizens’ welfare and improve connectivity,” Umahi explained.
He appealed to residents to cooperate with enumeration and compensation teams, promising that valid claims would be paid. He also commended host communities in Benue and neighboring states for maintaining a peaceful environment for workers.
Corroborating the minister’s directive, the Project Manager for Section Two, Rabih Munayer, confirmed that field operations are already adjusting to protect local properties.
“This is Section Two of this major superhighway,” Munayer said, noting that the 173.4-kilometre section remains subject to minor alignment tweaks.
“We are deploying additional pipes and temporary drainage measures during this rainy season to maintain traffic flow and construction activity without causing avoidable damage to structures along the corridor,” he added.
Lead Consultant and Project Designer for Section Two, Akelakpa Edra, confirmed that the engineering designs are being updated to mirror the Minister’s instructions.
“The revised design takes into account all instructions issued by the Minister, including replacing select culverts with bridges and adjusting alignments where necessary to bypass private properties,” Edra noted.
Community leaders along the corridor expressed optimism following the inspection, citing the project as a vital catalyst for socio-economic transformation across the region.
