The Federal Government has mandated MTN Nigeria to commit N15 billion monthly towards the completion of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway for the next 10 months, following growing concerns over delays and recent tragic accidents along the route.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with lawmakers from Anambra and Enugu, who sought urgent federal intervention to fast-track construction on the 79-kilometer road project handled by RCC Ltd. The project is funded through MTN’s Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
Key Resolutions from the Meeting:
🔹 MTN must ensure N15bn monthly payments to contractors to speed up work.
🔹 Three contractors will now handle different sections of the road within the existing N202 billion contract sum.
🔹 The remaining 72 kilometers of the road will be awarded to other contractors, with MTN and RCC eligible to bid.
🔹 The Ministry may terminate the project if funding commitments are not met.
Tanker Explosion Sparks Urgency
The renewed urgency follows a fatal tanker explosion at the Ugwu Onyeama axis, which claimed several lives, further exposing the dangers of the highway’s delayed construction.
Umahi assured the South-East of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to fixing critical infrastructure across the region. “Since Tinubu took office, he has prioritized road projects nationwide despite inheriting over 2,064 projects worth N13 trillion,” he stated.
However, Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, who led the lawmakers, raised concerns over insufficient funding, warning that stalled projects could make government interventions appear like mere political gestures.
The Enugu-Onitsha Expressway remains a lifeline for economic activities in the South-East, and pressure is mounting on the government and MTN to ensure its timely completion.
