FG blames concessionaire over Lafia-Makurdi highway flooding, cites poor upkeep
The Federal Authorities has blamed the latest flooding alongside the Lafia-Makurdi highway on the negligence of the highway concessionaire, China Harbour Engineering Firm, citing poor upkeep and failure to clear particles from culverts because the quick reason for the disruption.
The disclosure was contained in an announcement issued on Friday by the Particular Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji.
The assertion adopted the flooding incident that occurred on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, which severely disrupted vehicular motion alongside the hall.
Based on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the flooded part of the highway falls underneath the Highways Improvement and Administration Initiative (HDMI)—a Public-Non-public Partnership association between the Federal Authorities and China Harbour.
Umahi acknowledged that though the highway had been accomplished and tolling had commenced, the concessionaire failed in its obligation to take care of the infrastructure, resulting in the blockage of an current culvert by particles.
“In a Press Assertion made in his workplace on nineteenth June 2025, the Honourable Minister condemned the unlucky negligence by the concessionaire, whose obligation underneath the Highways Improvement Administration Initiative (HDMI) of the Federal Authorities is to function and preserve the highway,” the assertion learn partially.
Umahi revealed that personnel from each the Federal Ministry of Works and China Harbour have been instantly deployed to the positioning. The particles was cleared, and the floodwater was efficiently evacuated, reinstating visitors movement on the highway.
The Minister, nevertheless, directed the concessionaire to critically assess the basis reason for the incident, develop a everlasting resolution, and forestall future occurrences. He additionally prolonged an apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians, describing the incident as a humiliation.
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The assertion additional disclosed that, in a separate engagement, the Minister acquired a delegation from Citibank Nigeria Ltd, led by Managing Director/CEO Nneka Enwereji, who visited his workplace to discover partnership alternatives in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.
- Throughout the assembly, Umahi offered an outline of the Federal Authorities’s Renewed Hope Legacy Tasks, 4 main highway infrastructure initiatives important to nationwide improvement. He inspired Citibank to contemplate investing in these initiatives as a part of its dedication to sustainable improvement.
- Enwereji expressed Citibank’s robust curiosity in supporting nationwide infrastructure initiatives that align with the {bank}’s objectives for sustainable funding.
She acknowledged that the {bank} is keen to grasp the federal government’s priorities and discover areas the place it may possibly present financing and strategic help.
“We’re right here as Citibank to debate how we will successfully companion with you, to know the undertaking you might be endeavor, and see how we will leverage the entry that now we have to help a few of these initiatives and make a constructive influence to the progress of the nation,” Enwereji was quoted as saying.
She additionally highlighted Citibank’s ongoing evaluation of infrastructure alternatives throughout Nigeria, noting the {bank}’s curiosity in discussing particular initiatives already into consideration.
