President Bola Tinubu deserves widespread acclaim for his administration’s ambitious infrastructure expansion across the nation, says Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, following an inspection tour of a major highway project in Benue State.
Travel Time Slashed by Half as 258km Highway Takes Shape
Onanuga, leading the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team on an inspection of the Makurdi–Otukpo–Obolo-Affor–Enugu dual carriageway, highlighted the project’s transformative impact on regional connectivity.
“From what we have seen so far, even though we have not even 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.”
“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,” Onanuga added.
Strategic Corridor Linking North Central and South East
The presidential aide emphasized the highway’s significance in fostering national integration:
“This road is linking the North Central and the South East for you. 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, also business as people will be able to move goods across all the borders, all the state borders.”
Project Details at a Glance
Metric Details
Total Length 258 kilometres (dual carriageway)
Benue State Section 178 kilometres
Section Under Inspection 50km per carriageway (100km total)
Progress Achieved 86km binder course completed on both carriageways
Completion Target December 2027 (48-month contract period)
Funding China EXIM Bank loan + Federal Government counterpart funding
Contractor China Harbour Engineering Company
Weather Challenges, But Work Continues
Federal Controller of Works for Benue State, Mukaila Danladi, acknowledged that the rainy season has slowed earthworks but confirmed that contractors remain active on hydraulic structures and drainage installations.
“Work has not stopped,” Danladi assured, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the December 2027 delivery deadline.
Economic Implications
The highway represents the second phase of the Abuja-Akwanga-Nasarawa-Makurdi corridor, extending dualisation from Makurdi through Otukpo and Obollo-Afor to Enugu. Upon completion, it is expected to:
· Improve road safety
· Reduce travel time significantly
· Ease movement of agricultural produce
· Strengthen trade and economic integration
· Boost commerce across state borders
This landmark infrastructure project underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to connecting Nigeria’s economic and commercial centres, delivering tangible benefits to citizens through improved transportation networks.
