By Isaac Uzaan
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has received in courtesy a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Works led by the Permanent Secretary Engr. Olufunsho Olusesan Adebiyi.
Speaking with the delegation at Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, Governor Alia said the Government of Benue State would complement the efforts of federal government to fast-track the ongoing dualization of Makurdi – Otukpo – Enugu road.
He said the state government will assist in providing logistics, compensating those whose properties are affected, and also divert traffic to ensure smooth and speedy execution of the work.
“We are quite excited as a state for the speedy execution of this project and I want to thank you for the reassurance you have given us.
“Again, I’m quite pleased that you have witnessed traffic at the Wurukum roundabout which has been quite busy and remains as such. So what the federal government pledged to do would be of tremendous support and of good to all of us here in the state” the Governor added.
He expressed gratitude to the federal ministry of works for granting Benue State government the permission to rehabilitate the Makurdi Gboko road and extend the dual carriage to Tyo-Mu bridge,
Governor Alia also used the opportunity to request that the same approval be given to the state to extend the dual carriage to Federal Government Housing Estate to provide for easy flow of traffic and add beauty to Makurdi town.
He added that his administration has made Benue a construction site, and that for the federal government to accept to construct a flyover at wurukum roundabout would be a huge addition to what has already been going on in the state.
Governor Alia assured the delegation that Benue State Government would soon embark on serious Orientation and public education concerning road diversions regarding the construction of overhead bridge at the wurukum roundabout.
“I want to assure you that we are going to do some orientations and public education to our people as well, and we have already considered diverting the road from the New bridge to the Old bridge”.
He appealed to the federal government to follow the initial agreement of creating a bypass at Otukpo to help in the planned expansion of the town and avoid the massive destruction of both public and private property.
On behalf of the government and people of Benue State, Governor Alia expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his desire that all Nigerians have a taste of good road.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Olufunsho Olusesan Adebiyi explained that the project which was awarded in 2018 has phase one and Two with the phase one from Akwanga , Lafia to Makurdi almost completed, while the second phase starts from Makurdi to Ninth Mile with Benue axis having 178 KM out of the total number of 250Km of the entire project, saying the project was totally for Benue state.
He explained further that they were in Benue state to monitor the space of work which he noted started last year and requested that Benue state Government intervene in areas of traffic control at the wurukum roundabout and compensation of people whose property was going to be destroyed.
