By Amos Aar
THE FEDERAL Government on Saturday flagged off construction of the Wurukum Flyover and the Makurdi-Otukpo-9th Mile road dualization project, Phase 2, in Benue State.
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the ceremony.
Describing the project as a “game changer” that would enhance the timely movement of goods and reduce post-harvest losses, especially for perishable farm produce, Governor Hyacinth Alia also stressed that the dual carriageway links the South-East and South-South to the North, making it vital for trade and national integration.
“Our farmers are now into different frames of farming, including vegetables, which by the advent of this road, they’ll be able to harvest in the morning and get to Abuja for fresh sales. It will be a great economic experience for us. The same applies to movement down to the South-East and South-South,” Alia said.
He commended the pace of work on the project and pledged the state’s cooperation with contractors.
“The engineers have already told me the time frame, and I have marked my calendar. In just a number of months ahead, this project should be rounding off. We are here to give every support – just one phone call and we will be with you on site. Congratulations on the work you are doing. Do some more. Speed up, speed up,” Alia urged the president.
He also noted that the Benue State Government had undertaken rehabilitation of some federal roads within Makurdi to ease transportation while awaiting federal intervention.
“The Gboko-Makurdi road here all through to the Federal Housing is being constructed by us, the state. We know it is a federal road but who are those people using the road? It’s us in the state who are using it. And it was more of an eyesore. So, if we continue to wait until the federal government comes to do it, you know, after all, the president says all of us are the federal government, because we sent him there. So, he is representing us. So, every little effort we can do to complement those efforts he is doing for the good and the betterment of our people, we will continue to put them in place,” Alia stated.
In his remarks, the Minister of Works, Engr. Umahi, said the road and flyover were part of President Tinubu’s infrastructure drive for Benue and commended Governor Alia for settling all compensations that paved the way for work to begin.
Giving an overview of the project, the Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Donald Ikyaaza, stressed that the benefits go beyond easing traffic.
“This is a statement of His Excellency because the people of Benue State will understand that Governor Alia is working hand in hand with the Federal Government,” Ikyaaza said.
He added: “When this road is put in place, commercial activities will be boosted. If you want to site an industry in a place, road must be there. With this construction, the loading of items from farms to other states will be easier, traffic congestion will be reduced, and the town will be beautified.”
According to Ikyaaza, Benue was witnessing infrastructural development not seen in decades, with the Wurukum Flyover complementing the ongoing underpass project in Makurdi.
Earlier, Engr. Adam Onudi of Yola Consultant Limited assured both the federal and state governments of timely and quality delivery of the project.
The project flag-off attracted reactions from various stakeholders. Special Adviser to the Governor on International Investment, Mr. Alex Addingi, described it as a “monumental stride” that reflects Governor Alia’s commitment to transforming Benue.
General Manager of the Benue State Urban Development Board, Mr. Ternongo Mede, said the governor’s directives pointed to his determination for speedy execution.
The Kindred Head of Wurukum, Chief Simon Ugondutov, expressed delight that the long-awaited project was becoming a reality, while the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, said the flyover would ease traffic congestion and stimulate economic activity in the state capital.
He urged contractors to maintain quality standards and called on residents of Makurdi to cooperate with government during construction. Ugber also assured that journalists in the state would monitor and report on the project’s progress.
