Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has praised President Bola Tinubu for expanding infrastructure development across the country, describing the administration’s ongoing road projects as significant to national connectivity and economic growth.
Onanuga made the remarks during an inspection tour of the Makurdi–Otukpo–Obolo-Afor–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 across Benue State.
Speaking to journalists along the road corridor, Onanuga described the expressway as a landmark project that would improve connectivity, boost commercial activities and promote national integration.
He said the project had already significantly reduced travel time between Makurdi and Otukpo, noting that the journey, which previously took about three hours because of the poor condition of the road, could now be completed in roughly one and a half hours.
“From what we have seen so far, even though we have not completed this road, it has shortened the travel time between Makurdi and Otukpo. From what I gathered, 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, we are in Otukpo.
“So, this is a commendable project, and I think President Bola Tinubu deserves a lot of applause for touching almost every part of Nigeria, giving them one road or bridge or one infrastructure or the other,” he said.
Onanuga added that the road would strengthen the connection between the North-Central and South-East regions, while facilitating the movement of people and goods across state borders.
“This road is linking the North-Central and the South-East. If you are able to link all parts of Nigeria, it shows you that we are improving the connectivity across our states.
“This will no doubt boost not just passenger traffic, but also business, as people will be able to move goods across all the state borders,” he added.
Speaking on the project, the Federal Controller of Works in Benue State, Mukaila Danladi, disclosed that the 258-kilometre dual carriageway had been divided into five sections to facilitate construction.
According to him, the highway passes through Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi and Enugu states, forming a strategic transport corridor connecting major economic and commercial centres across the regions.
Danladi said about 178 kilometres of the highway fall within Benue State, while the section currently under inspection covers 50 kilometres on each carriageway, making a total of 100 kilometres.
He disclosed that construction had progressed to about 86 kilometres of binder course across both carriageways, describing the progress as significant despite challenges posed by the rainy season.
The controller explained that the pace of work had slowed because some earthworks could not be carried out during periods of unfavourable weather.
He, however, said construction had continued, with contractors focusing on hydraulic structures and drainage works along the alignment while awaiting improved weather conditions for other activities.
Danladi reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering the project within the 48-month contract period, with completion scheduled for December 2027.
He explained that the highway represents the second phase of the Abuja–Akwanga–Nasarawa–Makurdi corridor, extending the dualisation from Makurdi through Otukpo and Obollo-Afor to Enugu.
The project is being funded through a combination of a China EXIM Bank loan and Federal Government counterpart funding, while China Harbour Engineering Company is responsible for its execution.
Upon completion, the highway is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel time, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and strengthen trade and economic integration across the affected states.
