The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed contractors handling the ongoing Trans-Sahara Highway project to minimise the demolition of houses and other properties along the road alignment.
Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of the Federal Government’s Trans-Sahara Highway project, assuring residents and other stakeholders that the administration remains committed to delivering strategic infrastructure while protecting host communities.
According to the minister, Section One of the project covers approximately 123 kilometres from the Ebonyi axis to the Ebonyi-Benue boundary, while Section Two stretches about 173.4 kilometres through parts of Benue, Enugu and Kogi states to the Benue River and Nasarawa boundary.
Umahi said the two sections, with a combined length of roughly 300 kilometres and a design speed of 100 kilometres per hour, would significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity across the affected regions.
“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 said.
The minister added that improved road infrastructure along the corridor would also enhance security by facilitating the movement of security personnel and connecting communities that have previously remained isolated.
Umahi disclosed that Section One, currently designed as a single carriageway, would eventually be upgraded to include a second carriageway and integrated with other legacy infrastructure projects under the Tinubu administration.
He further revealed that an 8.9-kilometre bypass around Afikpo, extending towards the Timber Shed area, would be dualised as part of the project’s intervention.
