The Works Minister, David Umahi states that President Bola Tinubu on January 2024 authorized the release of funds to construct Second Niger Bridge bypasses as well as Lafia highway and Lagos Ibadan road.

He made this statement during the visit to Makurdi after inspecting Lafia Bypass Road and dualisation of 9th Mile, Enugu-Otukpo–Makurdi Project.

Completion date

Implementation of this project is being managed by China Harbour Nigeria Limited and it will be completed in 48 months.

I wish to appreciate Mr President, who about three days ago approved that work should be started in many areas on Abuja-Kaduna–Zaria— Kano.

Challenges

We had issues to do with funding but the president has put an end and directed for immediate release of funds in order that these roads can be constructed.

He noted that ‘the same is with the Lagos-Ibadan highway and the second Niger bridge two bypasses’.

However, Mr Umahi said he would prefer the roads to be cement concrete rather than asphalt.

He commended the Benue and Enugu state governors for their efforts in making sure that contractors worked smoothly on these routes by providing security task force to protect them.

He promised that everything the two governors asked for in terms of roads would be done.

The flyover that you have requested for, we are going to embed it. If you are constructing a road and the people aspects at inconvenience or even we achieved it but it isn’t resolving issues, then we have created nothing.

Such a flyover is therefore very important and it’s good to find ourselves here. We have to do that as a result of the zeal for your peoples and President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Since the beginning of that road from this point it has to be done on concrete. Anywhere we have poor terrain, we will look for concrete.

we will position the center of that which divides two carriage way s on a central point for an existing track.

Therefore, we will reduce a lot of damages. I will like to appreciate you and the governor of Enugu State for creating a task force on their behalf security wise, among other things.’’, he said.

According to him, Second Niger Bridge bypasses Lafia highway and Lagos Ibadan road project was funded by Chinese Exim Bank and therefore money had been availed already dollar knowing that it would not vary much.

Responding, Governor Hyacinth Alia who participated in the tour with the minister said that he was thankful to Tinubu for ensuring a fulfilled dream of Benue folks.

We thank God for this privilege. All the time we have constantly sought for a new Benue of our desire that everything we lay hands on gets magnetic efficiency, effectiveness and completeness.

We are glad that you have commenced the second phase of Abuja-Keffi-Lafia 9th Mile Road. The fact that you have already included the prayers we provided to you makes us very happy.

We appreciate Mr President for his kind and noble heart towards the general citizens. He is a person that does not want others to suffer.

This new road was previously a trip from Abuja to Makurdi, which lasted for four and half hours but now it will be three hours.

He added that it was going to benefit our business and help us plan forward in playing on the route.

The 260 kilo metres project also passes through the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa, Benue and Enugu states.

Financers

Second Niger Bridge bypasses, Lafia highway and Lagos Ibadan road is partly sponsored by the Export-Import Bank of Nigeria with 85 per cent and remaining portion funded by Federal Government.