The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered the immediate deployment of ministry officials and engineers from the China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company to restore and find a permanent solution to the persistent flooding along the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road.
This directive followed severe flooding caused by torrential rains that disrupted traffic and forced President Bola Tinubu to cancel his planned visit to Yelwata in Benue State, where he was expected to sympathise with residents affected by recent killings of over 100 people.
Describing the incident as “embarrassing,” Umahi blamed the private concessionaire managing the tolled road under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) for failing to maintain the carriageway despite collecting revenue.
“We received reports of flooding on a section of the Keffi-Makurdi road, which falls under a Public-Private Partnership with China Harbour. Though the road is completed and tolled, debris blocked an existing culvert, causing the flooding. We deeply apologise to Mr President and Nigerians for the embarrassment,” he stated.
Umahi confirmed that officials and the concessionaire’s personnel responded immediately by clearing the debris, which allowed the floodwaters to drain and restored access to the affected section.
He also instructed the company to investigate the cause of the flooding and implement long-term solutions to prevent similar occurrences in the future, warning that such lapses would no longer be tolerated on federal roads operated by private entities.
The minister commended President Tinubu for his compassion and leadership over the Benue killings, describing the attempted visit as a powerful gesture of solidarity.
President Tinubu, in his remarks, acknowledged the disruption. “I aborted my visit to Yelwata town because of the rain, flood and bad roads,” he said. “But we will act to improve the conditions in that area.”
Meanwhile, Umahi used the occasion to advocate for increased infrastructure financing partnerships. During a courtesy visit by the Managing Director/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, Nneka Enwereji, he appealed for support on key federal road projects under the Renewed Hope Legacy Initiative.
“We are happy that Citibank is considering partnering with us. These projects are central to the President’s national development agenda, and your support will make a meaningful impact,” Umahi said.
Enwereji praised the administration’s reform efforts and expressed the bank’s readiness to explore impactful infrastructure investments.
