FG Orders Repairs to Lafia-Makurdi Road After Tinubu's Visit Halted by Flood

Minister of Works David Umahi has ordered urgent repairs to the flood-affected Lafia-Makurdi section of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi expressway after heavy rains rendered the road impassable and forced the cancellation of President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to Yelwata, Benue State.

President Tinubu was scheduled to visit Yelwata on Wednesday to console residents following the tragic loss of over 100 lives in recent attacks. However, severe flooding on the route halted his motorcade and made passage impossible.

Describing the situation as "embarrassing," Umahi criticized the private concessionaire—China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company—responsible for managing the tolled road under the federal government's Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).

He faulted the company for failing to maintain the road properly despite collecting tolls. In a statement issued Friday through his Special Adviser, Orji Uchenna, Umahi said:

“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.”

He added that ministry officials and engineers from the concessionaire have since been deployed to clear the debris and restore access. “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 confirmed.

Umahi emphasized that the incident underlines the importance of strict oversight in public-private partnerships and promised tighter enforcement moving forward.

The minister also praised President Tinubu for his continued support and concern for the people of Benue State, saying, “We also 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.”