FLOOD ON LAFIA-MAKURDI ROAD: UMAHI DEPLOYS PERSONNEL, MAINTENANCE TEAM OF CONCESSIONAIRE TO FLOODED SECTION OF COMPLETED . .... Tasks Team On Providing Permanent Solutions To Flooding Along Carriageway

"We know that the project has been completed and it is tolled, but unfortunately, yesterday, there were a lot of debris that covered an existing culvert there and that led to flooding but in the midst of that rain, we deployed our Ministry of Works personnel in Makurdi State and also the China Harbour personnel." Umahi

"They had to go to the inlet of the culvert and removed all the debris and the flood has been totally evacuated. That section of the road has been reinstated."

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has directed the immediate deployment of the Ministry’s personnel and the maintenance team of China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company, concessionaire for Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road to bring effective and permanent solution to flood disturbances along the road. 

This follows on the heels of the flooding situation that occurred along Lafia-Makurdi road that severely disrupted traffic flow on 18th June 2025.

The Minister, in a press statement on 19th June 2025, signed by Orji Uchenna Orji Esq, his Special Adviser Media, condemned the unfortunate negligence by the concessionaire whose duty under the Highways Development  Management Initiative (HDMI) of the Federal Government is to operate and maintain the road.

"We have got information on the unfortunate flooding of a section of Keffi-Makurdi road which is under HDMI, that is, a PPP with China Harbour." The statement accredited to the Minister, said.

"We know that the project has been completed and it is tolled, but unfortunately, yesterday, there were a lot of debris that covered an existing culvert there and that led to flooding but in the midst of that rain we deployed our Ministry of Works personnel in Makurdi State and also the China Harbour personnel and they had to go to the inlet of the culvert and removed all the debris and the flood has been totally evacuated. That section of the road has been reinstated." The statement read.

The Works Minister therefore directed the concessionaire to critically assess the primary cause, provide a permanent solution to flooding along the carriageway, and take all steps necessary to prevent future occurrence. 

"We apologize very profusely to Mr. President and  Nigerians, for the embarrassment, this unfortunate incident caused him and Nigerians."

He commended the President for his fatherly intervention in the unfortunate incident in Benue State. "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 of Benue State and everyone living in that place. With God on his side, Benue people shall see sustainable peace and progress."

Speaking earlier during the courtesy visit of the Managing Director/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, Nneka Enwereji, the Honourable Minister highlighted some of the initiatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the present administration to improve the quantity and quality of the road assets in Nigeria, especially the initiative to construct the four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects which are critical road infrastructure necessary for the economic advancement of the nation. 

He sought for the partnership of the Bank by investing on any of the Renewed Hope Legacy Projects, saying; “I am happy to have Citibank Executives here in my office today to discuss how they can partner with us over the four Legacy Projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and also other infrastructural developments in the country. 

"We have had a very fruitful meeting, and I am very happy that the efforts of Mr President on external inflow is yielding desired result and that the international community has commended him very highly on his transformative reforms. This project shall be realized by the courage and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.” Umahi stated.

In her mission statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, Nneka Enwereji expressed the willingness of the Bank to partner with  Federal Government of Nigeria through sustainable investment and funding in the development of those projects that would make a positive impact to the progress of the country. 

She expressed pleasure over the impressive strides of the Renewed Hope administration, which are necessary to build investor’s confidence. 

“We are here as Citibank to discuss how we can effectively partner with you,to know the project you are undertaking, and see how we can leverage the access that we have to support some of those projects and make a positive impact to the progress of the country. 

"We want to discuss some of the specifics and some of the projects that we are already looking at in the country. We are very impressed with the big strides that you are making. And we want to support that as much as we can.” The  CitiBank boss concluded.