Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his administration’s efforts to expand infrastructure and improve road connectivity across different parts of Nigeria.
Onanuga made the remark during an inspection of the Makurdi, Otukpo, Obolo Afor and Enugu dual carriageway by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team.
The team, led by Onanuga, is touring completed and ongoing federal and state infrastructure projects in Benue State as part of its assessment of developments across the state.
Speaking along the road corridor, Onanuga described the dual carriageway as an important project that would improve connectivity between regions, support commercial activities and strengthen national integration.
He noted that the road had already reduced travel time between Makurdi and Otukpo, despite the fact that construction is still ongoing.
According to him, the journey, which previously took about three hours because of the poor condition of the road, can now be completed in roughly one and a half hours.
Onanuga said the progress recorded on the project was worthy of commendation, adding that President Tinubu deserved recognition for initiating infrastructure projects across different parts of the country.
“This road is linking the North Central and the South East,” he said, stressing that better connections between states would make it easier for people and businesses to move from one part of the country to another.
He added that improved road networks would not only increase passenger movement but also make it easier to transport goods across state borders, thereby supporting trade and economic activity.
Providing an update on the project, the Federal Controller of Works in Benue State, Mukaila Danladi, said the 258 kilometre dual carriageway had been divided into five sections to allow construction work to progress more effectively.
He explained that the road passes through Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi and Enugu states, making it an important transport route connecting several economic and commercial centres.
Danladi said approximately 178 kilometres of the highway fall within Benue State, while the portion currently being inspected covers 50 kilometres on each carriageway, amounting to 100 kilometres.
He disclosed that construction had reached about 86 kilometres of binder course across both carriageways, describing the progress as significant despite challenges caused by the rainy season.
According to him, adverse weather conditions have slowed some earthworks, as certain construction activities cannot be effectively carried out during periods of heavy rainfall.
He, however, said work had continued, with contractors focusing on hydraulic structures and drainage installations along the route while waiting for more favourable weather conditions.
Danladi also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to completing the project within its 48 month contract period, with delivery scheduled for December 2027.
He explained that the highway forms the second phase of the Abuja, Akwanga, Nasarawa and Makurdi corridor, extending the dualisation from Makurdi through Otukpo and Obolo Afor to Enugu.
The project is being financed through a combination of a China EXIM Bank loan and Federal Government counterpart funding, with China Harbour Engineering Company handling the construction.
When completed, the highway is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel time, ease the transportation of agricultural produce and strengthen trade and economic connections among the affected states.
