By Chidiebere Ugwu
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has directed that funds be immediately released for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways across the six Geo-political Zones of the federation, Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has said.
Umahi gave the hint in Markurdi, Benue State on 25th January 2024 during his inspection visit to the Keffi- Akwanga- Lafia-Makurdi road reconstruction project via Maraba, New karu, Asokoro, Ado, Goran road, the Lafia By-pass and the dualization of the Markurdi- Otukpo – 9th Mile Enugu road projects.
According to a statement by Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Hon. Minister of Works, the Minister also reassured Nigerians that the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, *His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,* is on course in it’s determination to rejig the road infrastructure which is a key catalyst for the actualization of the needed economic growth and development of our nation.
The Hon Minister gave this indication in Markurdi, Benue State on 25th January 2024 during his inspection visit to the Keffi- Akwanga- Lafia-Makurdi road reconstruction project via Maraba, New karu, Asokoro, Ado, Goran road, the Lafia By-pass and the dualization of the Markurdi- Otukpo – 9th Mile Enugu road projects.
He thanked the President of Nigeria for approving the release of funds for the commencement of work on the critical highways across the six goe-political zones, including the Abuja- Kaduna- Zaria – Kano highway, the Lagos- Ibadan expressway and the two by-pass roads at the 2nd Niger Bridge.
”So let me use this opportunity to also thank Mr. President. Just about three days ago, he approved that work should immediately commence in many sections; in Abuja,- Kaduna,-Zaria- Kano road. It’s a very good and cheering news for me. We were having some problems with funding. But Mr. President has solved that problem and directed the immediate release of funds so that the projects will continue. The same thing is applicable to the Lagos Ibadan and the 2nd Niger Bridge two bypasses. Mr. President has directed the immediate release of money for the projects. As you see me, I am rejoicing like a newborn baby.”
Speaking during the inspection visit to the Markurdi axis of the road, the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Fr. Hyacinth Alia called for support to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.He described the President’s national development plan as purposeful and progressive and with the propensity of promoting sustainable and stable national development.
He praised the new spirit of dedication and quality service delivery in the Federal Ministry of Works and expressed hope that Nigeria would experience a new dawn in road infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope administration.
”We are quite pleased that you are beginning the second phase of Abuja- Keffi – Lafia 9th Mile Enugu road. I’m very excited to hear that you have already incorporated the prayers we presented to you”
“We thank Mr. President for his thoughtfulness and good heart for the common masses. He’s someone who doesn’t like to see people suffer. He spends sleepless nights to ensure that we get it right at this administration. We remain quite indebted to him.”
The Honourable Minister of Works undertook a driving distance of about 446 Km from Abuja to Enugu through the bad spots of Otukpo- Nsukka- Uboloafor Enugu road and that afforded him the opportunity to give policy direction to the Engineers and contractors on site on the new initiatives on scopping and construction and on the dimensions of Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).
He also identified areas within the major junctions of the road project that require flyovers, especially the axis after Abacha Barracks in Abuja and the Markurdi axis of the road project, where road users experience heavy traffic.
