From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has embarked on the construction of the 52 kilometers Awaji-Oju road project, at the cost of N25.7 billion.
However, the project is being stalled by insecurity in the area as the contractors said they would need additional time to meet up with completion.
The road, which links Gwer East, Konshisha and Oju local government areas of the state, is 52 km.
Speaking to newsmen during a tour of projects constructed under the administration of 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 was awarded in September 2024 while the contractor commenced work in 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 contract of 12 months 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 its 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 had a community clash and some people were killed. There have been 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 said.
The PRO 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 might 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. Also, close to Oju there is a community in Igede land fighting with another community. 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 don’t know who is who.”
The team, which toured in Zone C, Benue South Senatorial District, also visited two Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in Taraku, Gwer East and Akpegede in Otukpo LGAs Utonkon-Agila-Igumale road, among others.
The tour of projects was 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).