By Nkechinyere Ewa
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has commended the Federal Government’s ongoing road infrastructure revolution under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a critical step towards boosting regional integration and economic development.
The commendation came on Thursday during an inspection tour of the ongoing dualisation of the Abakaliki–Afikpo–Ndibe Beach Trans-Sahara Highway in Ebonyi State by a delegation of the bank led by Mainouna Sidibe.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, said the highway is among the flagship projects of the Tinubu administration designed to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and unlock economic opportunities across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
According to him, the road will connect Ebonyi and Cross River States through Ndibe Beach in Afikpo and provide access to Benue and Kogi States, creating an important economic corridor for the movement of goods and services.
Umahi noted that upon completion, the project would significantly reduce travel time, improve access to markets and strengthen commercial activities within the South-East and beyond.
“The vision of President Bola Tinubu is to use infrastructure as a tool for economic growth and national integration. This road will not only serve the people of Ebonyi and Cross River States but will also enhance regional trade and economic cooperation with neighbouring countries, including Cameroon,” he said.
The minister also made a light-hearted reference to a recent incident involving a private jet that reportedly landed on a concrete road pavement under construction by the Federal Ministry of Works at Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State.
While joking about the development, Umahi said the quality of the ministry’s concrete roads could easily be mistaken for airport runways.
“I don’t blame the pilot for mistaking our road for a runway. But I want to appeal to my brother, the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to pay us landing, parking and takeoff charges because they used our road as a runway,” he joked.
He added that the incident was a testament to the durability and quality of the concrete road projects being executed across the country.
Leader of the EBID delegation, Mainouna Sidibe, expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work on the highway project and praised the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development.
She assured that the bank would continue to support initiatives that promote economic growth, regional connectivity and shared prosperity among ECOWAS member states.
Sidibe noted that strategic infrastructure projects such as the Abakaliki–Afikpo–Ndibe Beach Highway would play a significant role in facilitating trade, improving mobility and strengthening economic ties across West Africa.