Tinubu has approved funds for Second Niger Bridge bypass project – Umahi

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, says President Bola Tinubu has approved funds for the building of the Lafia bypass, the Lagos-Ibadan highway, and the second Niger bridge bypass.

Umahi made her remarks on Thursday while inspecting the Makurdi-Otukpo 9th mile route which is being dualized and the Lafia bypass.

The minister thanked the president for authorising the funding release, pointing out that financial difficulties have caused the projects to be postponed.

“I want to thank Mr President, who about three days ago, approved that work should immediately commence in many sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road,” the minister said.

“We were having some problems with funding but the president has solved the problem and directed for immediate release of funds so that the roads construction will continue.

“The same thing with the Lagos-Ibadan highway and the second Niger bridge bypasses.”

The minister praised the governors of Benue and Enugu states for making sure that contractors on the Makurdi-Otukpo 9th mile road operate without a hitch.

He claimed that China Exim Bank is providing funding for the project.

The Governor of Benue, Hyacinth Alia, stated that the road improvement would help the state’s businesses when speaking at the project inspection.

“We are pleased that you are beginning the second phase of the Abuja-Keffi-Lafia 9th Mile Road,” Alia said.

“We are very excited that you have already incorporated the prayers we presented to you.

“We thank Mr President for his thoughtfulness and good heart for the common masses. He is someone who does not want to see people suffer.

“Formerly, a journey from Abuja to Makurdi, is four and half hours but with this new road, it will take us three hours.”