Works Minister David Umahi dismisses criticism over the recently commissioned Eleme Road, revealing its past N156 billion award that never started and commending President Tinubu’s courage in initiating the project
The Eleme road controversy continues as the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has hit back at his critics regarding the recently commissioned Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State, branding them as “faceless“.
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His comments came amidst accusations from some Ogoni stakeholders, particularly the President of KAGOTE, Emmanuel Deeyah, who claimed Umahi misled President Bola Tinubu into commissioning an incomplete section of the road.
Umahi, speaking to newsmen during an inspection of the road on Thursday evening, clarified that the project is being executed in phases.
He explained that what was commissioned was Phase One, which encompasses one carriageway.
He revealed that the same section of the road had been awarded for a staggering N156 billion by the past administration, but work on the project never commenced.
Umahi stressed that complete reconstruction began only after President Bola Tinubu assumed office and gave immediate approval for the work to start, asserting that the President deserves commendation for such a courageous decision.
“They must be faceless stakeholders’ because even the opposition they have been on this road and they call me to say I should thank the President for this road,” Umahi retorted when asked about KAGOTE’s comments.
He further highlighted the engineering feat: “This is the first time in the Niger Delta that you are using this kind of concrete pavement. Thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The Minister detailed the project’s phasing: “And so what we did was phase this project. Phase one is one full carriage way and phase two is the second carriage way, and the bridges and the flyover. So we are done with phase one and that’s what we commissioned.”
He explained that the few noticeable “disjointed portions” are precisely where the flyover ramps are meant to connect.
To ensure a seamless journey for motorists, Umahi has directed the contractor to asphalt these areas within seven days while awaiting the superstructure of the flyovers and bridges.
“It’s an added cost but it’s good for the people so that you have a seamless journey from Eleme junction to Onne,” he emphasised.
Umahi highly commended the firm handling the road, praising their exceptional quality of work and speed.
A lot of companies are here, the treasure base of the country is also here. So we are very much interested in this Road
“They have done extremely very well. They were too fast as we agreed to net off this one carriage way by April which they did,” he said.
“So I commend them very highly. We are back to fight for the second carriage way because it’s been delayed now. We are back to fighting on the bridges and flyover.”
He expressed “about the bridge expert’s plans to use “one of the newest technologies” for 80 span bridges, predicting a “different ball game in this place” within the next three to five months.
The Minister revealed he has visited the project over ten times under the President’s directives, underscoring the road’s strategic importance as it leads to numerous critical national assets.
“A lot of companies are here, the treasure base of the country is also here. So we are very much interested in this Road,” Umahi stated.
He reiterated that when the Tinubu administration took over the project, despite the N156 billion past award, work had not begun.
Umahi explained the technical improvements: “So when we came on board we looked at the traffic and we knew that the 10cm of asphalt, you know binder 6cm and wearing of 4cm won’t be able to carry the traffic. And so we redesigned it. In most cases we dug one meter filled with lumps, sharp sand, stone base of different layers, and then 200mm of reinforced concrete of pavements.”
This robust design ensures the road will last for at least 50 years. He expressed happiness that the work started there first, as the previous state of the road had claimed lives, which had saddened the President.
“And we don’t want anything that will make the President sad because he loves the people very highly,” Umahi noted.
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Our correspondent, who covered the Minister’s inspection, reported that Umahi is scheduled to visit the Ahoada-Mbiama section of the East-West Road on Friday before departing Rivers State.
