By Joy Osaji
The federal government has been commended over the completion of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi expressway that has been dilapidated for decades causing hardships for both residents and users of the road.
It would be recalled that the construction of the 227 kilometres federal highway began on April 1, 2019 from the southwest of Abuja, crossing the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Benue.
The project consists of two parts: the 5.4 km expansion of the Abuja-Keffi expressway, linking Abuja to Nasarawa, and the reconstruction and dualisation of the 221.8 km Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi expressway, linking Nasarawa to Benue.
The project cost $542 million with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) handling the road construction while China Exim Bank will provide 85 per cent ($460.8 million) of the funding in the form of Preferential Export Buyer’s Credit (PBC).
China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Nigeria Limited has been a key player in transforming Nigeria’s infrastructure since it began operations in the country in 1994. The company has undertaken a diverse range of projects, including the development of ports, railways, roads and bridges, power plants, housing construction, urban development, green power initiatives, and corporate social responsibility efforts. A major signature project of the company which was commissioned this year is the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which is adjudged as one of the best in the world.
The successful expansion of the 5.4 km Abuja-Keffi expressway and the dualization of the 220 km Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road by CHEC, is seen by stakeholders as a major achievement of the company that would boost economic activities along the road corridor. The road is a vital artery connecting the bustling capital city of Abuja to Nasarawa, Benue, and Enugu states.
Speaking with journalists at its headquarters in Abuja , Project Manager of CHEC, Wang Jijun said the expansion and dualization project, which commenced on April 1, 2019, will substantially reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, enhance cargo circulation efficiency, decrease road accidents, improve the flow of goods and people, stimulate commercial activities, and foster economic growth along the route.
Mr Jijun noted that the project faced several challenges, including a short project duration, the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic diversion, land acquisition, demolition, and compensation claims. However, CHEC overcame these challenges by increasing the number of construction workers and equipment, setting up a relocation work group, establishing an effective communication mechanism with the land acquisition and demolition department, and gaining the understanding and support of affected people through adequate publicity and community engagement.
According to Mr Jijun, CHEC has also embarked on several projects for host communities in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility anchored on the values of high-quality returns and win-win cooperation. He listed some of the welfare projects to include the provision of water boreholes, cultural, sports, and educational materials, sponsorship of the Nigeria National Youth Basketball League, repair of classrooms, and training programs for residents in construction, engineering, and technical skills. At its peak, the road project created over 3,000 jobs for Nigerian employees.
Nigerias Speak on the road project.
The successful dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road project has generated reactions from Nigerians along the route. They expressed gratitude to China Harbour for the successful road project, highlighting its positive impact on their economic and social well-being.
Usman Ahmed, a commercial bus driver plying the Abuja to Lafia route for the past eight years, said that before the dualization of the road by CHEC, incidents of road accidents were rampant along the corridor. However, after the successful dualization of the road, cases of car accidents have reduced significantly, with passengers enjoying a smooth travel experience. He noted that the project has reduced travel time and increased the efficiency and profitability of his business.
“Before the dualization of this road, accidents were very common along this axis. But now with a double lane, we travel safely, and our passengers now enjoy comfort and safety on the road. Our travel time from Keffi to Lafia has been reduced to two hours as against four hours when we had a single lane. My vehicle does not break down anymore because of the high quality of work done by CHEC. I now make more profit and save more money thanks to this excellent project,” Usman said.
For Stephanie Gold Okafor, a commuter and a student of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, the new road project has brought safety to the road, reduced travel time, and the cost of transportation. She thanked CHEC and the Nigerian government for the successful completion of the project.
“The project has provided increased comfort for road users, reduced travel time, lowered the cost of transportation, and contributed to a decrease in road accidents,” Stephanie said.
“The dualization of the road has enhanced the overall travel experience for commuters, making the journey more comfortable and efficient. With improved road conditions and expanded lanes, the travel time has been reduced, enabling smoother and faster movement of people and goods. This has also led to a decrease in transportation costs for individuals and businesses.
“I would like to express my gratitude to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Nigeria Limited for their dedication and expertise in completing the project. Their commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure has greatly benefited the community and the region as a whole. I would also like to thank the Nigerian government for their support and collaboration, which has been instrumental in the successful execution of this important infrastructure development initiative,” she added.
On her part, Kakada Ejiro Augustina, a resident of Abuja, said the road project has increased the economic activity of the area because it has enhanced the transportation of people and goods along the route.
Her words: “The dualization of this very important road that links several states has attracted more economic activities to this area, as improved accessibility often leads to increased business opportunities and development. Businessmen and women can now transport their goods and agricultural produce from the hinterlands to the federal capital Abuja in good time, thus increasing their output, revenue, and profit. The project has also reduced the cost of transportation, accidents, and provided direct and indirect jobs.”
Angwan Mayo residents commends CHEC on CSR project
Meanwhile, residents of Angwan Mayo, a community in Kokona Local Government of Nasarawa State, have narrated how the borehole donated by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Nigeria Limited has provided access to portable drinking water for the people of the locality.
CHEC Nigeria Limited donated the water borehole as part of its corporate social responsibility during the successful dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road project.
Speaking to newsmen on an on-the-spot assessment of the project, residents said in just four years, Angwan Mayo has transitioned from a community with no basic facilities to one with portable drinking water and a good road network.
Baba Agabi, Village Head of the community, said the water borehole donated by CHEC has provided relief to the community who before now had to travel several kilometres in search of portable water. He stressed that the borehole now provides water for drinking, domestic purposes, and agriculture. He thanked CHEC for siting the project in his community and urged the Chinese company to do more for the Angwan Mayo people.
“The water borehole donated by CHEC has provided relief to the community who before now had to travel several kilometres in search of portable water. The borehole now provides water for drinking, domestic purposes, and agriculture. I thank CHEC for siting the project in my community and urge the Chinese company to do more for the Angwan Mayo people,” Baba Mayo said.
Also speaking, Emmanuel Ewuga, a youth leader in the community, said the water project has made life easier for residents who before now relied on water from the stream for their sustenance.
“Before this project, we relied on the river to get water, but thank God for China Harbour for bringing this water to our community. The project has provided us with water for drinking, washing clothes, and other economic activities,” he said.
On the successful dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road by CHEC, Ewuga said the project has improved the economic and social well-being of the people of his community.
“Years back, we depended on wheelbarrows or bicycles to transport our harvested farm produce home or to the market. But since the completion of this project, we now use efficient means such as vehicles to transport our produce from the farms to the markets. These have significantly reduced travel time and transportation costs, thus increasing our productivity, output, and revenue.”
For David Kefas Umbugadu, the new road project has reduced the cost of transportation, improved the flow of goods and people, reduced road accidents, and increased economic activity along the route.
He said, “Before the dualization of this road, we had several challenges like road accidents, traffic congestion, and high cost of transportation. But now, these challenges have largely disappeared. Travel time from Akwanga to Keffi is now one hour, as against two to three hours. The community appreciates China Harbour for this noble project and appeals to them to fix our drainage system.”
Testimonies like these demonstrate the significant role China Harbour continues to play in transforming lives and the infrastructural landscape of Nigeria. To sustain this win-win partnership and ensure the smooth completion of the Phase II project, the Nigerian government must provide CHEC with the necessary support and cooperation, including fulfilling all contractual obligations.
