REHABILITATION OF ENUGU-ONITSHA HIGHWAY: FG, MTN RENEW COMMITMENT ...... As Works Minister Insists On Compliance With Contract Provisions

Senator David Umahi
Minister of Works

"The Ministry is desirous of abiding by the provisions of the Presidential Order on the tax credit scheme which provided for some corporate organisations such as Dangote, BUA and NNPCL to utilize 50% of their expected tax payable to the Federal Government to fund the construction of critical road projects in the country." Senator David Umahi.

The Federal Government and the management of MTN Nigeria have renewed their commitments towards the completion of the on-going rehabilitation of the Enugu-Onitsha highway.

This is in line with the determination of the President Tinubu administration to ensure speedy completion of all ongoing road projects across the country. 

This was the resolution reached at the end of stakeholders meeting held in the Conference hall of the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja on Wednesday, 14th February 2024.

A statement issued and signed by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Works, Olusola Abiola, disclosed that the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, while speaking at the end of the meeting, commended the management of MTN Nigeria led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Karl Toriola for the assurance given to fast track the rehabilitation of the 107km highway which begins from the 82 Division in Enugu and terminates at the River Niger head bridge in Onitsha.

According to the Honourable Minister, in the statement, "the Ministry was desirous of abiding by the provisions of the Presidential Order on the tax credit scheme which provided for some corporate organisations such as Dangote, BUA and NNPCL to utilize 50% of their expected tax payable to the Federal Government to fund the construction of critical road projects in the country.

He restated the imperative for the organisation to make good its commitment to the provisions of the contract in spite of the current economic challenges.

Engr Umahi however, promised that "the Tinubu administration would continue to give credible assistance to MTN as it demonstrates the determination to complete the highway project on schedule."

"The existing contract signed between the Federal Government and MTN Nigeria; one of the leading GSM service provider in the country, would gulp over N200 billion in two separate phases to be executed over a period of thirty-six months." The statement reveals.

In his own remarks, the CEO of MTN Nigeria expressed his appreciation for the Honourable Minister’s understanding of the challenges being faced in the execution of the contract, pledging to expedite work on the project. 

He thus assured the Honourable Minister that his organisation would continue to partner with the Federal Government and work assiduously for the successful completion of the highway project.