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….Says Total Project Worth $950 Million
MAKURDI: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, flagged off the construction of the Makurdi flyover, describing it as a “game changer” that would ease the transportation of agricultural produce across the state and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Minster of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, said that the total contract sum for the flyover and the dualisation of the 520 kilometers Makurdi – Enugu road is worth about $950 million US dollars.
He explained that the project which is funded by the Chinese EXIM Bank, would be completed before the 2027 elections, just as he hailed the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, for starting construction work on the Makurdi – Gboko, federal road.
Umahi, told Governor Hyacinth Alia, that “We are very appreciative of your commitment to the people of Benue state and your intervention on our federal roads. We keep saying the FG cannot construct all the federal roads.
“This (Makurdi – Enugu road) project is 260 kilometers by two; that’s 520 kilometers. When we talk about legacy projects there is no section in any state of our legacy projects that is up to 520 kilometers and so you are a lucky Governor and because
“The cost is about $950 million dollars; roughly $1 billion US dollars and it’s being funded by China EXIM Bank and so Benue people have every cause to be grateful to God Almighty and for the love President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have demonstrated for the people of Benue state and also by extension the people of South East.
“This project alone is going to be a catalyst for the economic revolution in both Benue state, Enugu state and the entire regions.
“Two years have already gone in a programme of four years and so we are becoming very impatient. But I am happy that before the next elections…; we are not waiting for the next elections to fix this road, so we are going to give you all the support.
“And the Governor I want to thank you very highly, you paid the compensations (to pave way for the construction of the flyover). That’s very wonderful, very commendable. It shows your commitment to this project and your support for Mr President. So thank you and I assure you of the quality of the work.”
He further pointed out that “This flyover was never in the budget but it is a gift from President Tinubu to Governor Hyacinth Alia; it is a gift that he has asked me to give to you and what we are doing is prudent engineering and financial management and we are redesigning a number of things.
“For instance, the original design is to put laterite on the existing road, but we cancelled it because it has no meaning. There is what we call California Bearing Capacity of soil and over the years you have consolidation going on and on so when you bring laterite on an existing road, you’ve destroyed it ’cause the CBR is just nothing.
“So what we advocate in this circumstance is to mill the asphalt, put 2 percent cement, compact it and then take another 10cm of stone base, put 3.5cm cement, compact it and lay it and for another 50 to 100 years, you are assured of your roads. So that is what we are doing.
“And I am happy that today the Governor will flag off this very important flyover on behalf of Mr President”, he said elated.
Performing the flagging off ceremony of the project, President Tinubu, who was represented at the occasion by Governor Alia, observed that the project would put paid to issues of post-harvest losses.
He said, “As one who studied and grew up in Makurdi, I know how critical this road is. It links the Northeast to the South-South and Southeast. Farmers will now be able to move their produce easily, even fresh vegetables, from Benue to Abuja and other regions without heavy post-harvest losses”, the Governor stated.
While expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for one out of the many gifts President Tinubu has given to the people of Benue, Alia noted that his administration has also complemented the efforts of the federal government by rehabilitating sections of the Gboko–Makurdi road with resources of the state.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Co-ordinating Consultant of the project, Engr Adams Onundi, who is also the Managing Director, Yolas Consultants Ltd, explained that the Makurdi–9th Mile dualization is divided into five sections covering 250.6 kilometers, in addition to the 15.8-kilometer Lafia byepass.
According to him, “The flyover at Wurukum marks the beginning of Section One of the Makurdi–9th Mile stretch. Each carriageway is 7.3 meters wide with standard shoulders, stone base, and asphalt layers designed for durability”, adding that the existing road would also be improved to meet modern standards.
On the other hand, the Project Manager, China Harbour Construction Company, Mr. Wang, who spoke on behalf of the contractors, pledged that the company would deliver on time and assured that work on the project would be done according to specification.
He said, “With the support from the minister, the guidance from the consultants, and the cooperation of the governor on compensation and land acquisition, we are confident. Our strategy is to execute all sections simultaneously for efficiency. We promise to deliver the major works before the next election, and with the highest quality standards.”
Governor Alia also took Engr Umahi round ongoing projects around Makurdi, the state capital, among them, the Makurdi – Gboko road and the High-level underpass.