*Commencement of Work on the Makurdi–Obollo-Afor–Opi–Ninth Mile Expressway
During my interactions with the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Senator Dave Umahi, in September 2023, he promised to intervene in the dilapidated Makurdi–Ninth Mile federal road as soon as possible. In no time, the Hon. Minister secured the approval of the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the construction and dualization of this important expressway that serves motorists from almost every part of the country. He even introduced us to the contractors, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Nigeria Limited.
In keeping with his promise, Hon. Minister Umahi yesterday, in Makurdi, flagged off the construction and dualization of the road. I have gathered that, in no distant time, actual construction and rehabilitation works will go on simultaneously at both the Makurdi and Ninth-Mile ends as well as in three or more places in between.
We in Enugu North senatorial district shall be the primary beneficiaries of this Federal Government’s gesture. And we are therefore waiting anxiously for the contractors and their earthworks at the Enugu-Benue border. We hope to greet and thank the workers at Obollo-Afor, Orba, Opi, Ohodo, Ozalla, Ogbede and other towns before the rains intervene this year.
Our people travelling from the East to the North or returning home from Abuja or Kano can now hope for a smooth journey anytime soon. Motorists can now divorce the fear of kidnappers, armed robbers and accidents from their minds while plying that route.
Our thanks go to President Tinubu, Hon. Minister Umahi and indeed all other facilitators in the Federal Ministry of Works.
_signed_
*Senator Okey Ezea*
(Enugu North Senatorial District)
January 26, 2024
