Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered the immediate deployment of ministry personnel and the maintenance team from China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company to address flooding on the completed Lafia-Makurdi road, which disrupted traffic on June 18.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the minister described the incident as a result of “unfortunate negligence” by the concessionaire. He explained that debris blocked an existing culvert, leading to severe flooding along the carriageway and temporary traffic disruption.
The affected section, part of the Federal Government’s Public-Private Partnership project under the Highways Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), has since been cleared and reinstated.
“Although the road has been completed and is tolled, the maintenance responsibility rests squarely on the concessionaire, and this failure is unacceptable,” Umahi said. “We apologize very profusely to Mr. President and Nigerians for the embarrassment this unfortunate incident caused.”
The minister directed the concessionaire to conduct a critical assessment of the cause and implement a permanent solution to prevent recurrence.
Umahi also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt response to the recent flooding in Benue State. “Mr. President’s visit made a significant impact on the people of Benue. With God on his side, Benue shall see sustainable peace and progress,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister received the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Nneka Enwereji, on a courtesy visit. Discussions centered on potential partnership and investment in key infrastructure projects, including the Renewed Hope Legacy Projects.
“We had a fruitful meeting with Citibank on how they can partner with us to realize these projects,” Umahi said. “Mr. President’s transformative reforms are restoring investor confidence and attracting global support.”
Mrs. Enwereji expressed Citibank’s readiness to support the Federal Government’s infrastructure drive. “We are impressed with the strides of the Renewed Hope administration. Citibank is committed to making sustainable investments in projects that will positively impact Nigeria’s development,” she said.
The meeting marked a renewed push to attract local and international investment into the nation’s infrastructure sector.
