Morganable Politics/Governance
Onanuga said President Bola Tinubu deserved commendation for infrastructure projects being undertaken across different parts of the country, arguing that improved road connectivity would contribute to increased commercial activities
kaNo —
The Presidency has stated that the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of major roads across the country are beginning to ease the movement of people and goods, while strengthening economic activities between states.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this on Friday during an inspection of federal and state infrastructure projects in Benue State.
Onanuga, who was part of a nationwide media tour of infrastructure projects led by the Presidential Communications Team, stated that the ongoing dualization of the Makurdi-Otukpo-Enugu road had already reduced the travel time between Makurdi and Otukpo from approximately three hours to about 90 minutes.
He said the improvement was an indication of the potential economic benefits of completing the project, particularly in facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, manufactured goods and passengers across state borders.
“The road is impressive on its own, and if you can link all parts of Nigeria, it shows you that we are improving connectivity across our states, and of course, it will boost not just passenger traffic but also business traffic, to be able to move goods across all the state borders,” Onanuga said.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on the road, stressing that its completion would provide a durable transportation corridor connecting communities and states in the North-Central and South-East.
“So far, the quality is very impressive, and if they do this all the way down to Enugu State, I think it will be a road that will last very long,” he said.
According to him, the benefits of the project are already being felt despite the fact that construction is yet to be completed.
“Even though we have not even completed this road, it has shortened the travel time between Makurdi and Otukpo, which is on the route.
“Before, the road was so bad that from Makurdi to Otukpo it used to take about three hours, but now just about one and a half hours or so,” he added.
Tinubu Deserves Commendation-Onanuga
Onanuga said President Bola Tinubu deserved commendation for infrastructure projects being undertaken across different parts of the country, arguing that improved road connectivity would contribute to increased commercial activities.
He said better roads would not only reduce travel time but also lower the difficulties associated with transporting goods and people, particularly farmers and traders whose livelihoods depend on reliable transportation networks.
The Federal Controller of Works in Benue State, Mukaila Danladi, disclosed that the Makurdi-Ninth Mile project covered 250 kilometres, which would translate to 500 kilometres when completed as a dual carriageway.
According to him, the road traverses Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi and Enugu states and has been divided into five sections to facilitate construction.
He said 86 kilometres of Section One had been completed to binder course level, despite delays caused by the rainy season.
He also disclosed that Section Two, covering the Aliade-Otukpo axis, had undergone a design modification following the discovery of early erosion on the completed portion of Section One.
He said the Minister of Works had ordered that the road shoulder be redesigned from a surface-dressed shoulder to a hard shoulder to improve durability.
Danladi added that contractors had also been directed to accelerate construction, with completion of the section now expected by December 2027, one month ahead of the original January 2028 deadline.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Special Projects and Infrastructure in the Benue State Governor’s Office, Gabriel Akpen, said the road, which was originally completed during the administration of former Governor Aper Aku in 1982, had deteriorated significantly before the intervention of the current administration.
Akpen said 19 kilometres had been completed with asphalt, while earthworks had been carried out on approximately 30 kilometres.
He explained that the initial 12-month completion period was extended because of security challenges affecting construction activities.
“We are hoping that in the next six or seven months, the entire stretch will be completed,” he said.
The tour also highlighted efforts to revive economic infrastructure in the state, including the Taraku Mills.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Kula Tersoo, described the facility as a factory worth more than N70bn which was established during the Aper Aku administration but became inactive from the mid-1990s.
The Plant Manager, James Twenge, said the facility was expected to create at least 2,000 direct and indirect jobs when full production commenced during the 2026 harvest season.
He said the maize plant had the capacity to process 72,000 metric tonnes of maize annually, while the feed mill could process 172,300 metric tonnes of animal feed per year.
“Within the next two months, we can have products coming out,” Twenge said.
The Director of Urban Water Supply and Quality Control, Juliet Maka, said the facility was now operating at full capacity and supplying 10,000 cubic metres of water daily to Otukpo and surrounding communities.
Maka said the waterworks, originally constructed in 2012, had remained largely inactive for several years following disagreements over its operation and maintenance.
She explained that the state government later re-engaged the company responsible for the project and awarded a new rehabilitation contract, which was completed last September.
According to her, Otukpo town is currently benefiting from the water scheme, although residents of Otobi community are yet to receive sufficient direct supply because reticulation into the community was not included in the rehabilitation contract.
She said the ministry would extend the water network to the community following the contractor’s handover.
“They are getting water, but it’s just not enough,” Maka said.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement, Frederick Nwabufo, said the inspection tour demonstrated that the administration’s infrastructure investments were producing visible results.
Nwabufo said the delegation had inspected projects in roads, health, education and other sectors, describing the exercise as evidence of the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are here in Benue State. This is the third day, and particularly in reference to a particular sojourner who said there are no signs of renewed hope anywhere, we can see the roads, in health, in education, across all sectors,” he said.
He added that the projects were being inspected on the ground and without prior scheduling, insisting that the administration would continue its infrastructure programme.
The inspection comes as the Federal Government continues to position infrastructure development as a major component of its economic agenda, with road connectivity, industrial revival and access to basic services expected to support trade, employment and improved living conditions.
