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Lafia-Makurdi Road: Umahi Apologises To Tinubu Over Flooded Section, Orders Emergency Repair

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has apologised to President Bola Tinubu over the flooded section of Lafia-Makurdi road. 

This was even as he ordered the ministry’s personnel and the maintenance team of China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company, concessionaire for Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road to urgently fix the troubled spot. 

News Rider reports that on June 18, debris that covered an existing culvert on Lafia-Makurdi road resulted in heavy flooding that disrupted traffic flow on the corridor. 

Umahi condemned the unfortunate negligence by the concessionaire whose duty under the Highways Development  Management Initiative (HDMI) of the Federal Government, is to operate and maintain the road. 

'We received 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, there were a lot of debris that covered an existing culvert there and that led to flooding but in the midst of that rain, we deployed the ministry's  personnel in Makurdi, Benue State and also the China Harbour personnel. They went to the inlet of the culvert and removed all the debris and the flood has been totally evacuated.That section of the road has been reinstated."

He directed the concessionaire to critically assess the primary cause, provide a permanent solution to flooding along the carriageway, and take all steps necessary to prevent future occurrence. 

"We apologise very profusely to Mr. President and Nigerians, for the embarrassment, this unfortunate incident caused him and Nigerians," he said.

The minister commended the President for his fatherly intervention in the unfortunate incident in Benue State.

While receiving the management team of Citibank Nigeria Limited at the ministry's headquarters, Umahi highlighted some of the initiatives of the Federal Government, meant to improve the quality of road assets in Nigeria, especially the four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects which are critical road infrastructure necessary for economic advancement of the nation.

He requested the bank to partner with the ministry by investing on any of the Renewed Hope Legacy Projects.

Umahi added: "We had a very fruitful meeting with Citibank executives on how they can partner with us over the four Legacy Projects of President Bola Tinubu and also other infrastructure developments in the country.

"I am very happy that the efforts of Mr President on external inflow is yielding desired result and the international community commended him on his transformative reforms. This project shall be realised by the courage and commitment of Mr President."

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, Nneka Enwereji expressed the willingness of the bank to partner with the Federal Government through sustainable investment and funding of projects that would make a positive impact in the country. 

She expressed pleasure over the impressive strides of the Renewed Hope administration, which are necessary to build investor’s confidence. 

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