Benue Gov Alia constructs 52km Awaji-Oju Road, Obagaji-Okokolo- Agagbe 43km Roads, Others

From Dooshima Terkura Makurdi

The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has embarked on the construction of the 52 kilometers Awaji-Oju road project, at the cost of N25.7 billion.

The 52 km road, linking Gwer East, Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, is constructed along side numerous other projects many of which is nearing completion.

When completed, the Awaji-Oju road would ameliorate the sufferings of residents and motorists who hitherto plied the road in tears, making movement of humans, goods and services easy.

The team, which toured Zone C, Benue South Senatorial District and part of Zone B, also visited two Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in Taraku, Gwer East and Akpegede in Otukpo LGA, Obagaji-Okokolo- Agagbe 43 km connecting Agatu and Gwer West LGA, Igumale -Apa-Agila road 31.5km at the of cost N19. 3bn, Otobi Water project, renovation of three block classrooms at Ejor Community and UBEC/SUBEB project at St Francis Primary School, Community Otukpo LGA, among others.

Speaking to newsmen, the Technical Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev said a lot off projects including plants nursery and green houses and rain water harvesters in Otukpo and across Zone C is being done to better the lives of the people.

He said “This is a deliberate attempt by a Governor who is willing to take the state to the next level.”

Iorpev said the projects especially those on water would go long way to solve the perennial water challenges in Otukpo.

Earlier during the tour of projects constructed by Governor Alia in the last two years, the Acting Director of Engineering Services, Bureau of Special Projects and Infrastructure, Engr. Hembadoon Nongo, said the Awaji-Oju road project awarded by the Governor in September 2024 and the contractor commenced work the following month, October 2024.

She said “Work is progressing steadily. The scope of the work is to construct the road up to asphalt finishing from Achohol to Oju. It’s a 12 months contract but for the insecurity challenges experienced by the contractor, only about 25 percent has so far been achieved.

“They experienced some security challenges around km15. The locals were having some communal clashes and the contractors couldn’t continue. Because of that, there may be a little extension to the contract duration.”

The contractors, CGGC Global Projects Nigeria Limited through the Company Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr Bob Ogbonnaya said while they have done some good percentage of the job insecurity has posed a high challenge.

“We have a Community clash and some people were killed. There has been a couple of times we would go to the field and there would be gunshots even as we speak. We have been trying to get more security backup but right now we have 23 security personnel working with us just to enhance their safety.

Ogbonnaya who is also the company’s Chinese to English translator noted that they were working day and night in the past but stopped following the communal clashes. He said they may not be able to meet the one year deadline and ask for six months extension to enable them deliver on the project.

“We are also asking for a military checkpoint along the road to reduce the danger we are facing in specific areas. Close to Oju also, there is a community in Igede land fighting with another community Tiv land. So if we get a security set up closer there and to move with us, preferably army or a joint taskforce, it would be good.”

Some members of the Anchohol community including Titus Tsavwua appreciated Governor Alia for remembering them saying they are looking forward to seeing him come to commission the road which they said will ease movement for humans, goods and services.

Tsavwua said the Chiefs in the community have been trying their best to end the communal fights saying “The road should be free and safe for them to work as the bullets doesn’t know who is who.”

The tour of projects is facilitated by a team from Timbuktoo Media Solutions led by the former Minister for Information, Labaran Maku and Dr Mike Omeri, a former DG of National Orientation Agency (NOA).