FIC Report (Imo State) – As part of the Federal Government’s resolve to improve road network infrastructure to ease movement and business activities, it has begun preparatory work for the removal of a 60-metre-high mountain causing obstruction on a critical section of the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Federal Road.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi revealed this during the inspection in Okigwe , Imo State recently. He said the natural obstacle has to be cleared in the interest of motorists and communities across the South-East, adding that the project is being executed through the Federal Government’s tax-credit scheme, with Dangote Industries Limited as the sponsoring company and Hi-Tech Construction as the contractor.
Senator Umahi pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved that the mountain be removed, noting that the difficult terrain had over the years posed serious safety risks to motorists and contributed to several fatal accidents along the route.
According to him, more than 20 kilometres of the 65-kilometre road have already been completed. He commended Hi-Tech Construction for the quality of work being delivered, particularly the concrete pavement technology being used on the project.
Senator Umahi stressed that the Federal Government’s intervention in the South-East should be measured by the impact of completed infrastructure projects and their contribution to economic development, rather than political considerations.
The Project Controller, Engineer Maxwell Oko, earlier disclosed that the Highway F112 project consists of 9.9 kilometres of dual carriageway and 55.55 kilometres of single carriageway.
He noted that the road serves as a major arterial route connecting communities and adjoining federal highways across Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states, making it important to regional trade, transportation and economic integration.
The Managing Director of Hi-Tech Construction, Mr. Christopher Aucamp, stated that the preparatory work had begun at the mountainous section ahead of extensive excavation and earthworks.
He mentioned that three excavators would be deployed to intensify operations, remove portions of the mountain and reshape the terrain to facilitate the realignment of the road.
The managing director also stated that they are constructing a second bypass to ensure safer movement for road users while construction activities continued around the challenging section.
In her address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Southeast, Mrs. Chioma Nweze, emphasized the Federal Government resolve to accord priority to critical road infrastructure across the region.
Mrs. Nweze expressed optimism that the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe road, when completed, would improve connectivity, open up communities and market outlets , and boost commercial activities across Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states.
She also highlighted the Enugu-Onitsha, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Enugu-Abakaliki, Abakaliki Trans-Sahara and Onitsha-Owerri roads among other major Federal Government projects currently ongoing in the South-East.
According to her, the projects demonstrate the Tinubu administration’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure deficits and strengthening the Southeast’s integration into the national economy.
Upon completion, the Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe highway is expected to serve as a vital transport corridor connecting Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states, improve access to economic hubs and key institutions while facilitating movement across connecting interstate highways.
AKUSHIE, CHIOMA MARK HELEN.
HOC. FIC OWERRI
15/08/2026
