Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading Igbo socio-cultural body, has pressed President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the finishing of the Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway and the accompanying standard gauge railway. During a recent National Executive Council gathering in Umuahia, the group also demanded the immediate restoration of the Warri, Calabar, and Port Harcourt seaports, labeling these works as essential for the nation’s financial stability.
The organization argues that persistent delays have stifled business growth and reduced national competitiveness. By treating these initiatives as urgent economic priorities, the government could foster better trade links between the Niger Delta, the South-East, and Northern regions. Improvements to the highway are expected to boost safety and lower the cost of transporting agricultural and manufactured goods.
Regarding the railway and seaports, the group emphasized that modernizing maritime infrastructure would relieve the heavy strain on Lagos ports. This shift is predicted to lower import-export expenses and provide firms across the country with efficient access to global markets. Furthermore, the initiative is seen as a key step in leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area, potentially turning Nigeria into a major logistical hub.
The group’s projections suggest that these investments could add significantly to the Gross Domestic Product, generate billions in annual revenue, and create hundreds of thousands of jobs over the coming decade. Agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Works and the Nigerian Ports Authority have been called upon to accelerate these efforts, as the organization insists that the time for mere rhetoric has passed in favor of tangible results.