By Angela Atabo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s significant strides in road infrastructure transformation and the Minister of Works, David Umahi’s commitment to transparency in projects execution.
The Chairperson of the NUJ, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Grace Ike, gave the commendation following a media tour of some ongoing federal road projects.
One of the inspected projects is the Nyanya–Mararaba–Keffi corridor linking FCT to Nasarawa State.
Ike said the ongoing expansion of the road, long plagued by heavy traffic congestion and commuter hardship, signaled the administration’s resolve to address critical infrastructure deficits.
She noted that the decision by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to invite journalists for an on-the-spot assessment of the project demonstrated openness and accountability in governance.
According to her, firsthand inspection of projects strengthens the media’s role in holding government accountable beyond press briefings and official statements.
“This is the first time I have seen somebody said, Go and check my work and give a report. This is openness.
“We will do our best to report objectively. When the government is doing well, we will report. If otherwise, we will also report.
“I am particularly happy with the ongoing construction knowing fully well that the expansion of this particular road has been on the front burner of national discourse,” she said.
Mr Mohammed Ahmed, Director, Information and Public Relations in the ministry, explained that the tour was aimed at giving journalists firsthand insight into the progress of work.
According to Ahmed, infrastructure and transportation development remained one of the eight priority areas of the administration of President Tinubu.
Providing an update on the project, the Federal Controller of Works, FCT, Yakubu Usman, said the contract was awarded in 2023 with a completion period of 30 months and a target delivery date of June 2026.
Usman disclosed that the contractor had already achieved over 90 per cent completion, noting that the pace of work is ahead of schedule.
“The total project length is 43.65 kilometres. Work on the main carriageway has been completed 100 per cent.
“What remains are ancillary works such as median drains, side drains and capstone,” he said.
Usman stressed that, although the official completion date is June 2026, the ministry is optimistic the project could be substantially delivered within weeks if the current pace is sustained.
He further revealed that the Nasarawa State Government proposed the construction of flyovers at two locations along the corridor to ease traffic congestion, and the proposal was approved by the minister.
Mr Ahmadu Reuben, Public Relations Officer of China Harbour Engineering Company, while giving an update on the section being handled by the company, said the project has made significant progress.
Reuben said that approximately 43.15 kilometres had been completed, with the home base reaching up to 43.5 kilometers.
He said the wearing course has also been fully completed adding that the outstanding works were scheduled for completion by June.
Also speaking, Engineer Julian Njoku, Project Manager of JRB Construction Company Limited handling a section of the Nyanya–Mararaba axis, highlighted measures put in place to manage heavy traffic during construction.
“We have resorted to the use of crash barriers to segregate vehicular movement from our workspace. Traffic is flowing gradually while work progresses,” he said.
Njoku noted that night operations, running from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., have been intensified to accelerate progress, with support from road safety officials, civil defence and the police to ensure security and traffic control.
He expressed the confidence that the company would meet the timeline set by the ministry.
Meanwhile, residents and commuters have welcomed the development.
A civil servant, Matthew Daniel, described the project as a major relief for road users and businesses along the corridor.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
