258km Makurdi-Otukpo-Enugu Highway to be completed in 2027

• As Onanuga says ongoing projects have justified Tinubu’s government borrowings

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The dualised 258 kilometre Makurdi-Otukpo-Obolo-Affor-Enugu highway will be completed by December, 2027, the federal government has assured.
The assurance was given by the Federal Controller of Works in Benue State, Engr Mukaila Danladi, in Makurdi,the State capital, during an inspection tour of federal and state projects by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the Presidential Media Team.
The RHA and PMT delegation was conducted round the various projects by the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Sam Ode, in company with the Federal Controller and other top government officials during the assessment of ongoing infrastructure projects across the state.
Danladi explained that the
258km Makurdi-Otukpo-Obolo-Affor-Enugu highway is the phase two of the Abuja-Akwanga-Nasarawa-Makurdi corridor gate, expanding from Makurdi through Otukpo and Obollo-Afor to Enugu.
The Federal Controller revealed that phase one had been completed, while the current phase is financed through China- EXIM- Bank loan and Federal Government budget funding.
He disclosed that about 265km had been achieved on the corridor, with hydraulic structures and other works ongoing in spite of the rainy season challenges.
Speaking earlier, while conducting the delegation round the projects in the state, the Deputy Governor Dr Ode highlighted the importance of the Makurdi overhead bridge to commuters.
He described the route as the gateway between northern and southern Nigeria, stating that it was vital for economic activities.
Going down the memory lane, Ode
disclosed that the bridge was approved after Gov Hyacinth Alia approached President Bola Tinubu over recurring traffic gridlocks, especially during festivities.
The Deputy Governor noted that hitherto before the commencement of work on the Wuruku bridge, so many lives were lost, while several goods and properties had been destroyed in the past.
He stated that the residents are now highly elated with the project because previous congestion had caused difficulties along the strategic corridor.
The Deputy Governor disclosed that government had completed compensation payments and environmental impact assessments required for the construction of thecbridge.
The delegation inspected several projects, including the Buruku Bridge across the Katsina-Ala River, the Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi-9th Mile highway, the Wurukum Flyover, the High Level Underpass in Makurdi, the Food Basket Brewery and the Gboko Township Underpass.
Responding to questions from the journalists, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Bayo Onanuga declared that President Bola Tinubu’s borrowing policy has started paying off, pointing out that the visible infrastructure projects across states of the federation justify the administration’s decision to raise funds for development.
The ongoing investments in roads and bridges in different parts of the nation, Mr Onanuga said, are clear and unambiguous demonstration that borrowed funds are being channelled into infrastructure capable of boosting economic activities, improving connectivity and opening up previously isolated communities.
Mr Onanuga said the projects have, undisputably, provided a practical response to those questioning the administration’s borrowing strategy.
His words, “As Nigerians, you could see that the government has been accused of borrowing money. But we can also see where the money is going; to develop infrastructure, link people who had been forgotten, ensure commerce flows freely and enable farmers to move their produce straight to the markets”.
He noted that the Buruku Bridge is one of five bridges currently under construction by the Federal Government in Benue State, expressing the firm optimism that the bridge, when completed, would significantly improve movement of passengers and goods between Benue, Taraba and Adamawa states.
According to him, the bridge will shorten travel time between rural communities and urban centres, while creating a strategic economic corridor linking the North-Central and North-East.
Onanuga expressed satisfaction with the pace of work after officials informed the delegation that funding was not a challenge because the project is being financed through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.
According to him, “This project is going to be beneficial to everybody economically”.
The media tour, organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team, is designed to showcase federal and state projects being executed under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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