Makurdi: Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has commended President Bola Tinubu for his role in expanding infrastructure across Nigeria. Onanuga made these remarks during an inspection tour of the Makurdi-Otukpo-Obolo-Affor-Enugu dual carriageway conducted by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the team, led by Onanuga, is visiting completed and ongoing federal and state infrastructure projects throughout Benue State. During a briefing along the expressway, Onanuga highlighted the significance of the project, noting it would enhance connectivity, boost commerce, and promote national integration. He remarked on the reduced travel time between Makurdi and Otukpo, stating it now takes about one and a half hours instead of the previous three hours, showcasing the project’s impact.
Onanuga emphasized the strategic importance of connecting various regions, underscoring the project’s potential to improve not just passenger transport but also facilitate business by enabling the movement of goods across state borders.
The Federal Controller of Works for Benue State, Mukaila Danladi, explained that the 258-kilometre dual carriageway has been divided into five sections for efficient construction. The road traverses Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, and Enugu states, forming a crucial transport corridor linking major economic hubs. Approximately 178 kilometres of the highway are within Benue, with the inspected section covering 100 kilometres in total.
Danladi reported significant progress, with 86 kilometres of binder course completed on both carriageways despite weather-related challenges affecting construction speed. He noted that ongoing works focus on hydraulic structures and drainage systems, with expectations to meet the 48-month contract timeline and project completion by December 2027.
The highway is part of the second phase of the Abuja-Akwanga-Nasarawa-Makurdi corridor, extending from Makurdi to Enugu. The project is funded through a combination of a China EXIM Bank loan and Federal Government counterpart funding, and it is executed by China Harbour Engineering Company. The road is anticipated to enhance road safety, reduce travel time, and facilitate trade and economic integration across the region.