The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed MTN to commit to a monthly payment of ₦15 billion to contractors handling the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway project or risk having the contract revoked.
Umahi issued this directive during a courtesy visit by members of the Anambra and Enugu caucus of the 10th National Assembly, who sought the Federal Government’s intervention to expedite the completion of the road. The project, managed by RCC Ltd, is being funded by MTN under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
This development was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday night by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji.
“It was resolved that the Federal Ministry of Works would formally demand that MTN commit to paying contractors a minimum of ₦15bn monthly for the next 10 months to fast-track the project’s completion. Failure to comply will result in the initiation of contract termination procedures,” the statement read.
The ministry further resolved that three contractors should be engaged to complete the 79km stretch within the original contract sum of ₦202bn, while the remaining 72km would be awarded to other contractors through a competitive bidding process, in which MTN and RCC Ltd could also participate.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the project’s slow progress, the ministry accused MTN of failing to align with the provisions of the Tax Credit Executive Order.
The statement also highlighted that funding delays and poor execution had led to a cost overrun of more than 100 per cent, warning that if the project continued at the current pace, costs could rise by over 200 per cent—an outcome deemed unacceptable by the Federal Government.
Minister Umahi lamented the loss of lives caused by the incomplete sections of the expressway, citing the recent tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyema, which claimed multiple lives. He assured the South-East region that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to addressing infrastructure deficits across Nigeria.
“The South-East has every reason to trust Mr. President’s leadership. Since he assumed office, we have not witnessed farmer-herder clashes in the region. He inherited 2,064 projects worth about ₦13tn, which have now risen to over ₦20tn due to economic factors such as naira devaluation and fuel subsidy removal. Despite these challenges, his commitment to transforming Nigeria remains unwavering,” Umahi stated.
He urged lawmakers and stakeholders in the South-East to recognize the administration’s efforts, stressing that infrastructure development transcends party politics.
Senator Osita Ngwu, the Minority Whip representing Enugu West, praised the scale of road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance efforts but expressed concern over inadequate funding, which he said was delaying the timely completion of critical projects.
“The Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, funded through the tax credit scheme and awarded to RCC Ltd, has deteriorated into a death trap. The recent tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyema compelled our delegation to engage the minister. We are ready to collaborate with the ministry to address funding bottlenecks and ensure the road’s completion,” Ngwu stated.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) also appealed for urgent federal intervention in South-East infrastructure projects to ensure the region benefits from Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“While we commend Mr. President for appointing Senator Umahi as Minister of Works, we urge him to prioritize South-East roads, given our long-standing infrastructure deficit. The government’s ambitious road and railway projects are commendable, and we seek equitable attention for our region,” Umeh said.
