Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed that urgent repair work begin on the Lafia-Makurdi section of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga highway after severe flooding stopped President Bola Tinubu from reaching Yelwata in Benue State.
The President had planned a visit to Yelwata on Wednesday, June 18, to console residents mourning the killing of over 100 people in recent attacks. However, the journey was cut short due to heavy rain that flooded parts of the road, leaving it impassable and forcing the convoy to turn back.
The incident caused concern at the federal level. Umahi, calling the situation “embarrassing,” noted that the highway was part of a Public-Private Partnership with China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).
According to him, the road had already been completed and was being tolled, yet flooding occurred because debris blocked a culvert.
“We have got information on the unfortunate flooding of a section of Keffi-Makurdi road, which is under HDMI, that is, a PPP with China Harbour. We know that the project has been completed and it is tolled, but unfortunately, yesterday there was a lot of debris that covered an existing culvert, and that led to flooding.
“We apologise very profusely to Mr President and Nigerians for the embarrassment this unfortunate incident caused. The Keffi-Makurdi road is a Public-Private Partnership with China Harbour under the HDMI initiative. Though completed and tolled, flooding occurred due to debris blocking the culvert.”
“In the midst of the rain, we deployed our officials and the concessionaire’s personnel who evacuated the debris, allowing floodwaters to drain. That section of the road has now been reinstated”, he said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Orji Uchenna on Friday.
The minister further directed the company to investigate the cause of the flooding and implement a permanent fix to prevent future disruptions, stressing that such lapses would no longer be tolerated on federal roads maintained by private operators.
Umahi also commended Tinubu’s fatherly concern and leadership over the Benue killings, describing his attempted visit as “a powerful gesture that resonated with the people.”
“We also commend Mr President very highly for his fatherly role in Benue State. His visit there has made a lot of impact in the lives of the people and everyone living in that place,” he said. “With God on his side, Benue people shall see sustainable peace and progress.”
