The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered the quick deployment of ministry officials and engineers from China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company to solve the persistent flooding problem on the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road.
This is coming after a massive downpour disrupted traffic and forced President Bola Tinubu to cancel his visit to Yelwata, Benue State.
Tinubu was scheduled to arrive in town on Wednesday to sympathise with grieving residents following the killing of over 100 persons, but his convoy was stopped by a flood that rendered the road impassable.
Describing the incident as embarrassing, Umahi blasted the private concessionaire in charge of the tolled road under the Highway Development and Management Initiative for failing in its duty to maintain the carriageway, despite receiving revenue.
He apologized to President Tinubu for the inconvenience caused, stressing that the unfortunate incident was caused by a lot of debris covering an existing culvert, which ultimately led to flooding.
“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.
He further instructed the company to investigate the cause of the flooding and deliver a lasting solution that will prevent a recurrence.
He concluded by saying the President’s attempted visit was a thoughtful gesture that resonated with the people.
“Tinubu’s attempted visit was a powerful gesture that resonated with the people.
We 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. With God on his side, Benue people shall see sustainable peace and progress,” he added.
