Alia’s Urban-Rural Projects, Benue’s Socio-economic Renaissance

Benue State government has commenced the process of connecting all local governments in the state through rural road networks to enhance economic activities across the state.

These are to be achieved through the  established Bureau for Special Projects and Infrastructure  whose  mandate involves both implementation and coordination of other Ministries Departments and Agencies, in the provision of infrastructure considered as special projects by the government.

To this end, the government has awarded contracts for the construction of several rural roads cutting across Guma, Gwer East, Gwer west, Kwande Agatu, Ado, Vandeikya, Konshisha, and Oju local government areas, Gboko and Ushongo amongst others.

Some of these include the 20km Mbawuar Sec -Bako- Naa road with a 14km Spur to Mede-Mbaakon,the rehabilitation of Wurukum-Air Force Base – Mu (13.0km) Section of Makurdi-Gboko Federal Tsar Adih – NKST Buter – GJSS (UBE) Buter – Chafa Don Road

Ikyese Street, Adekaa,Daudu- Gbajimba road 47km and the construction of the 23km Manyam-Unongo-Nambe Road.

The Director General, Bureau for Special Projects and Infrastructure,Engr Professor Gabriel Akpen said that these road projects were being executed in conjunction with the affected local government councils on a 60-40 percent funding ratio.

The government is also engaged in massive urban renewal projects, expanding and rehabilitating roads and opening waterways to mitigate flooding. According to Professor Akpen, the projects are at various stages of completion.

The administration of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia embarked on these projects to fast track economic growth, enhance livelihoods, and boost socio-economic development, he said.

So far, several roads with a completion deadline of four to 24 months are being executed with vigour,  and already some have been completed.

Speaking on the urban renewal project, Professor Akpen said currently twenty one roads  were ongoing in Makurdi, and work has commenced on some of the township roads  handled by Bauhaus Global Investment Nig Ltd,while others would commence soon. He assured that other parts of the state would also have their fair share of the projects.

These include Hanti Hotel,  Joyce Hotel-Word Aflame, Melody to George Akume Way, Villa suite-JAMB office with Spur 1 to Rahama Hospital and Spur 2 to IORNENGEN LIGOM, Hembadoon Amena-Coca cola, road from opposite Brewery Junction to Gaadi layout, Fajude Academy with a spur, and Deeper Life Camp to Yaikyo.

Other road projects being executed in Makurdi Metropolis include the Marks Plaza to Vaatia Road, Vaatia-Yaikyo, Microfinance-Vaatia, Before Stella Rose,  Zarephath Road,      Engr. Atume-Soweto Junction with a Spur, Biem Anya Street with 2 Spurs to Unique and Bishop, Iochor Road, World Health Organisation Road with 2 Spurs,  Father Hunter-Achusa-Welfare Quarters road, Holy Family Road,  David Mark Extension-Agber Village, and Hotel Lucia-Achusa Road (Baver Dzeremo Street)

Construction work is also ongoing in respect of Branch Atser-Korinya-Wuese, Ateku-Ikpenger, Awajir-Oju, Igumale-Agila, Ushongo-Hegha-Gbem, Adikpo-Koti-Yough-Vandeikya with a spur to Tse Mker, and Obagaji-Okokolo-Agabe roads.

The government is also working on the Construction of New Governor’s Office, Renovation/rehabilitation of Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Office Makurdi , Governor’s Lodge and Annexe, Presidential Lodge, Vice Presidential Lodge, and Jonah Jang Lodge, all in Makurdi This is in addition to the renovation and furnishing of Benue State Secretariat, Makurdi, renovation of Commissioners Quarters, the Construction of International Conference Centre, and the Benue Fashion Hub.

Under the Ministry of Works,  road construction and rehabilitation in the Metropolis are ongoing. The Governor has currently undertaking works on sixteen roads which are 95 per cent completed with a combined length of 15.93km.

These are Odehageh-John Feese Street with Spur to Akuma Abanyam and Othaniel Taangahar street;  Orkuma Akunda Street;  Lush Street;   Augustinian Community Roads, Nigerian Navy Barracks Road,  Keghem Malu street,  David Jebe Street, Kornya City Guest House-Akpeme, Tyagher Gbaa Street, Victoria Aende Street, and Keke NAPEP Street.

Others are Ghandi Street, Federal Low-cost Housing Road in North Bank, Eight Avenue, and Iorkyaa ako Ako Street extension in the High Level area of Makurdi,  and the Ikeja-Sokoto Street in Wadata

And not forgetting  the construction of the High-Level Roundabout Interchange (Underpass) in Makurdi, nearing Completion and the Gyado Junction Interchange (Underpass) in Gboko Local Government .

Additional work is ongoing to solve most of the erosion problems around Wurukum Market and North Bank, which involve the rehabilitation of Abu King Shuluwa Road from Oxnet-Market with 1.20km drainage, extension of David Jebe Street Wurukum plus channels and outlet drain, and almost a kilometre outlet drain and extension on Ghandi Street in North Bank, and the extension on Federal Low-cost Housing Road in North bank of 0.45km.

There is also ongoing construction and rehabilitation of 6.4km roads and two water channels of 2.60km length in Makurdi. This project is being handled by TRIACTA Nig. Ltd, and include dualization of Ishaya Bakut Road (1.50km);  Ishaya Bakut Spur -1 (LHS) (0.45km); Ishaya Bakut Spur -2 (RHS) (0.30km); Ishaya Bakut Spur -3 (RHS) – Sam Steet (0.30km); Government Model School Road (0.95km); Saint Augustine Road and Tee Junction (1.00km); Internal Roads within Sisters of the Nativity Convent (0.55km); and Internal Roads Within St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary (1.60km). The water channels will involve putting reinforced concrete channel on Gboko Road-Wurukum Roundabout (0.40km), and from Zone 4-Low Level (2.20km).

Indeed, ‘the Alia the better’. The Reverend governor has stood tall in assuaging the concerns of the people, improving infrastructure and livelihoods, and redirecting the economy of the state for the good of all. These projects will be of immense benefit to all and sundry – from the Okada rider to the chief executives of corporations  – everybody will taste the goodness of the Alia administration.

– Bridget Tikyaa  Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media , Publicity and Communications Strategy