President Bola Tinubu has approved the design and procurement of two major federal road projects in the South-East, a move expected to improve transportation and stimulate economic activities across the region.
‎
‎The Senior Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on New Media, Dr Ejimofor Opara, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Awka.
‎
‎Opara explained that the approval followed a meeting between Governor Soludo and President Tinubu on July 1, where the governor drew attention to key infrastructure challenges affecting the South-East.
‎
‎He said the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, later requested details of the region’s priority road projects, prompting Soludo to submit two major road corridors for consideration on July 3.
‎
‎The approved projects are the 108-kilometre Otuocha–Anam–Abaji Road and the 150-kilometre Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road, both of which will be expanded into dual carriageways.
‎
‎According to Opara, the Federal Ministry of Works confirmed on July 15 that President Tinubu had given approval for the design and procurement stages of both projects.
‎
‎He described the roads as critical economic corridors that would improve connectivity between the South-East, North-Central and other parts of Nigeria.
‎
‎Opara noted that the Otuocha–Anam–Abaji Road would provide a direct link between Anambra and Kogi states, while the Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube/Okigwe Junction Road would strengthen road connections across Anambra, Imo and Abia states, with access to the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
‎
‎He added that the projects are expected to ease travel, cut transportation costs, enhance the movement of goods and services, and expand access to markets.
‎
‎The governor’s aide said the approvals reflected the positive collaboration between the Federal Government and the Anambra State Government in addressing infrastructure needs.
‎
‎He expressed confidence that the road projects would stimulate economic growth across the region while fostering greater national unity.
‎
‎Opara further revealed that efforts were ongoing to secure approval for additional strategic infrastructure projects aimed at promoting long-term development in the South-East.