By Amos Aar
THE CONTRACTOR handling the Makurdi and Gboko underpass projects, Bauhaus Global Ltd, and the Benue State Bureau of Special Projects and Infrastructure have explained reasons for the delay in completing 21 awarded road project and underpass projects in Makurdi and Gboko.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Makurdi, on Tuesday, the Project Manager of Bauhaus Global, Engr. Charbel Al-Ammar, said the Makurdi and Gboko underpasses were already 95 percent completed.
National Record has recalled that on April 25, 2025, Al-Ammar assured journalists, including its reporter, that the projects would be commissioned on May 29, 2025, to mark the second anniversary of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.
Al-Ammar, however, attributed the delay to additional work introduced to mitigate flooding and other risks. According to him, the company had to create major drainage channels and carry out extensions not included in the original plan.
Asked whether funding was the problem, he replied: “Funding is not the challenge. The delay was caused by additional work we are doing to take care of risks like flooding by creating a major drainage.”
On whether the company failed to conduct an impact and risk analysis before the projects commenced, the contractor insisted there were no significant negative impacts apart from natural water-related challenges, stressing that nature cannot be predicted entirely as human beings are not God, according to him.
Dismissing suspicions that Bauhaus was overstretched by handling almost all major projects in the state, including the 21 roads, he said: “We are not overwhelmed at all.”
He added: “We are in the final stages. But we have additional work to extend lay-bys on the roads based on the governor’s directives. In Makurdi, for instance, we are constructing a one-kilometer discharge channel to control water flow. That is why Bauhaus has not yet finished completely.”
He further stated that similar extensions were being carried out in Gboko.
Al-Ammar further explained that 80 percent of the delay was caused by technical difficulties encountered during excavation. “The ground was very bad, and the water level was extremely high, especially during the rainy season. We had to divert water away from the underpass and construct a new drainage system. Despite the challenges, we succeeded and constructed the underpass without any incident,” he said.
He noted that what remained was mainly surface work, including casting of walkways, stamping, asphalt finishing, installation of solar streetlights, painting, and landscaping.
Responding to social media claims that cracks had appeared on the Makurdi underpass, Al-Ammar dismissed them as “minor issues already taken care of,” stressing that final works would eliminate such concerns.
Also speaking, Prof. Gabriel Akpen, Director-General of the Bureau of Special Projects and Infrastructure, represented by the Bureau’s Director of Engineering Services, Engr. Nongo Hembadoon, said unfavorable weather conditions and technical challenges were largely responsible for the delays.
Providing further details, Engr. Nongo said out of the 21 roads awarded in December 2024, 13 were currently under construction, with 33 percent of work already achieved. She noted that progress was slower than expected due to the rains but assured that the pace would improve as weather conditions changed.
“But we are pushing them hard,” she said. “We are constantly monitoring the contractor to ensure no room for relaxation. With the receding rains, we expect them to make up for lost time.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, NUJ Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, said the briefing was crucial for transparency, accountability, and public awareness. He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for prioritising infrastructure and lauded the Bureau of Special Projects and Bauhaus Global Ltd for their commitment to quality delivery.
The chairman pledged that the NUJ would continue to support the dissemination of factual, balanced, and constructive reportage of government activities.
