President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the construction of a major flyover at Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, framing it as a personal gift to Governor Hyacinth Alia in recognition of his dedication to infrastructure development.

The project, valued at approximately $950 million to $1 billion and funded by China’s Eximbank, forms part of a larger dual carriageway spanning 520 kilometres through Benue State, from Makurdi to Ninth Mile in Enugu State.

This is contained in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Tersoo Kula, and posted on the state’s official X handle on Sunday.

According to the statement, Minister of Works, David Umahi, represented Tinubu at the flag-off ceremony, which took place on Saturday.

Umahi praised Alia’s proactive interventions on federal roads.

“We are very pleased with your commitment to the people of Benue State and your intervention on our federal roads.

“Everybody that uses the road in Benue is for the good governance of the Benue people. So, we thank you very highly. Now, this project is moving from Makurdi to Ninth Mile in Enugu State; Benue State alone covered 260km by 2. That is 520km.

“When we talk about legacy projects, Your Excellency, there is no section in any state that is up to 520 km. So, you really came in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, you are a lucky governor,” the statement quoted Umahi.

Kula quoted the minister saying that the flyover was not originally budgeted but added as a special gesture from the president.

“The cost is about $950 million. Roughly $1bn. This is being funded by the China Eximbank. So, Benue people have every cause to be grateful to God Almighty, and for the Love President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated for the State.

“This flyover was never in the plan and budget for this road. But it is a gift from Mr. President to Governor Hyacinth Alia. It is a gift he has asked me to give to you.”

The minister thanked Alia for the infrastructural development, especially the roads you are constructing and rehabilitating in the state.

“Thank you for caring for your people. Governance is tough, but with the hand of God upon you, you are going to be remembered at the end of this journey.”

The flyover is a major component of the second phase of the Makurdi–9th Mile Road dualisation project.