The Federal Ministry of Works said in the Anambra State capital, Awka, on Friday that the Onitsha-Owerri expressway project had reached 97 per cent completion.

The Federal Controller of Works in Anambra, Mr. Elliot Idubor, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the ministry was glad that pains and agonies of road users on the route had become a thing of the past.

Idubor said, "I can categorically tell you that the Onitsha-Owerri road project is virtually complete, it is 97 per cent completed.

"Users of that road can now travel to Owerri from Onitsha in 40 minutes. Unlike what used to be the case, they now enjoy pleasurable ride."

The controller also gave details of how the Enugu-Onitsha express way would look like when completed.

He said, "From the kilometre 0+000, that is, the beginning of the road will be 10 lanes up to Iweka Bridge.

"There shall be six lanes between Iweka Bridge and old toll gate, between Awka and Amansea while portions between old tollgate and Awka will be four lanes as it is currently. The whole stretch of the road will be fully lit."

He gave the assurance that the Enugu-Onitsha road project would not suffer from the lack of funds as it was among the federal roads that were selected to be financed from the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme.

According to Idubor, N5 billion has been appropriated for that from SURE-P to ensure that an enduring work is carried out on the road.