Works Minister David Umahi ordered the arrest of some persons trading on the completed section of the Aba axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, still undergoing rehabilitation.

Mr Umahi, who was in Aba to inspect the project, directed the security operatives attached to his motorcade to arrest the erring traders.

He expressed disappointment over the activities of the traders, saying that they would be charged to court according to the law of the land.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction that the traders’ activities disturbed construction works, as they used the completed section of the road for trading and dumping of refuse.

“The whole of Aba refuse is being dumped on this road. It is not encouraging at all,” he said.

Mr Umahi advised the state government to set up a task force to check traders’ activities.

“We wouldn’t like after the federal government had spent so much here we see people building and trading on the road.

“So, the only way out for this work to be completed is for the governor to set up a task force and clear the road,” he said.

Mr Umahi urged citizens to support the federal government in fighting Nigeria’s challenges.

“While Mr President is passing through sleepless nights on how to solve the problems of a very bad inherited economy, Nigerians should support him and also support themselves,” the minister said.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the job done by Arab Contractors.

In an interview with journalists, he said the project, which was first awarded about 10 years ago, had yet to be completed because of the high cost of construction materials.

“When I came on board in August 2023, bitumen was N500,000 per ton, but today it’s about N1.3 million.

“That is why we are asking, can we go for concrete that is almost about 95 per cent sourced locally,” said the minister

The federal controller of works in Abia, Tony Onwubiko, said the project covered about 57km from Abia Tower in Umuahia to the Railway Crossing at Alaoji in Osisioma Local Government Area.

(NAN)