News

Benue’s Infrastructure Push Gathers Pace as Media Team Commissions, Inspects Projects

Published

8 months ago

February 19, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Ministry of Works has concluded its Media Tour and Commissioning of Emergency/Special Intervention Projects in Benue State with the commissioning of key emergency and special intervention projects executed under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The tour, which forms part of the Ministry’s strategic effort to showcase progress on enhancing infrastructure and transportation as catalysts for national growth, covered several projects across the state, including the Katsina Ala–Takum, Katsina Ala–Calabar (Ushongo and Atihi), Old Makurdi–Wukari, Otukpo-Oshegbudu-Oweto, and the Makurdi-Otukpo-9th Mile-Enugu Roads. The rehabilitated sections of some of these roads were among the Federal Government’s special interventions aimed at addressing failures across the various alignments, improving connectivity, and stimulating socio-economic development.

At the Rehabilitation of the Katsina Ala–Takum Road, the Federal Controller of Works, Benue State, Engr. Mukaila Danladi, provided a detailed technical update on the project. He disclosed that work has progressed significantly, reaching binder and sub-base levels, with preparations underway for the execution of hydraulic structures. He further identified key challenges initially encountered by the contractor, Messrs Gerawa Global Engineering (Nigeria) Limited, including security concerns and operational constraints related to construction equipment, noting, however, that these issues are being addressed to sustain steady progress.

At Ushongo and Atihi communities, along the Katsina Ala–Calabar Road, where emergency repairs had been completed, the Controller explained that a 100-metre line drain has been constructed to mitigate persistent flooding that previously submerged the carriageway, causing severe washouts and restraining traffic. He noted that the corridor remains a critical route for the movement of agricultural produce and mineral resources, passing through key economic centers.

Providing professional validation on the completed interventions and the ongoing projects visited, representatives of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) commended the Federal Government for the quality of work delivered, as well as the pace and quality of ongoing works. “The levels of work delivered and ongoing reflect a strong commitment to engineering standards, safety, and long-term durability,” they attested.

Representing the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engineer David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, the Chairman of the Benue State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Vincent Nyinongu, formally commissioned the Emergency and Special Intervention Projects, confirming the Federal Government’s resolve to prioritise infrastructure that directly impacts livelihoods by connecting people, goods, and services.

At a critically failed section in Agasha town, within Guma Local Government Area, flood mitigation and special repair works on the Old Makurdi–Wukari Road were also commissioned, further underscoring the administration’s responsiveness to climate-related infrastructure challenges.

Another emergency work commissioned was the Flood Mitigation and Repairs at KM 19 ( Ushongo) and KM 35 (Atihi) along the Katsina Ala – Calabar Road, a vital economic corridor supporting the transportation of agricultural produce and solid minerals from Benue State to other parts of the country. The project involves extensive pavement works and drainage infrastructure designed to improve durability and ensure all-weather accessibility and mobility.

The tour also covered the Dualisation of the Makurdi–Otukpo–9th Mile-Enugu Road, a route that has endured years of neglect despite its national importance. The Ministry stated that the current administration has prioritised the project due to its strategic relevance and the need to end decades of hardship experienced by motorists and communities on the corridor.

The Ministry emphasised that the extreme conditions previously observed on the road characterised by hazardous failures and stationary articulated vehicles, necessitated the rehabilitation of the existing carriageway and the construction of another. Ongoing works on the corridor have now gathered momentum, reflecting the administration’s renewed commitment to infrastructure delivery.

Giving further technical details on the project, the FCW disclosed that work commenced on 1 February, 2024, following the resolution of initial constraints, including security challenges, right-of-way acquisition, and relocation of utilities. He confirmed that the Benue State Government has achieved 100% acquisition of the right of way, while relocation of utilities has reached approximately 98%, enabling unhindered construction activities.

According to him, significant achievements have been recorded with over 48% completion status, indicating that delivery remains on track.

Corroborating this progress, Engr. Tijani Olalekan, representing the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the timely execution and excellent completion of the contract. “The pace of work reflects our dedication to meeting the project’s timelines.

We have achieved substantial progress on binder and wearing courses, while hydraulic structures are being completed across multiple locations,” he asserted. He added that most of the earlier challenges have been effectively addressed, particularly with the support of the state government in facilitating right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation.

As a further demonstration of intergovernmental collaboration, the Federal Ministry of Works acknowledged with much gratitude the approval granted by the Benue State Government for the payment of compensation related to the Buruku Bridge project. It expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting that such cooperation is essential for the seamless execution of infrastructure projects across the states of the Federation. This was at the site of construction work on the Buruku Bridge over the River Kastina Ala, linking Benue and Taraba States. The Project Manager, Messrs Setraco (Nigeria) Limited expressed optimism that with the payment of compensation, “the work will gather a renewed momentum,” he assured the visiting team.

The nationwide media tour is not only a platform for showcasing capability and accountability but also an opportunity to reinforce public confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable and impactful infrastructure. The successful completion and ongoing execution of these projects underscore a clear and consistent policy direction focused on national integration, economic growth, and improved quality of life for all.

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Health

New Malaria Plan Puts States, Local Data At Centre Of Nigeria’s 2030 Response

Published

2 hours ago

October 22, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Nigeria’s latest malaria data point to a country making progress overall but facing sharply different disease burdens from one state to another, prompting health authorities to shift emphasis towards locally tailored interventions under a new five-year strategy.

The National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) 2026–2030, launched alongside the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) report, seeks to cut malaria parasite prevalence and deaths by 50 per cent from 2025 levels by 2030.

Rather than applying a uniform national response, the plan prioritises interventions based on local epidemiological evidence, while also calling for stronger domestic financing, improved diagnosis and treatment, better surveillance and clearer accountability.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Daju Kachallom, presented the government’s position at the joint launch in Abuja.

Pate described the survey and strategic plan as essential tools for identifying weaknesses in malaria control and directing resources towards areas with the greatest need.

He said the survey’s findings on prevalence, prevention, diagnosis and treatment would support policy development, programme implementation, resource allocation and performance assessment.

The minister said the strategic plan was designed to accelerate progress towards a malaria-free Nigeria while remaining consistent with national health priorities and the World Health Organisation’s global malaria strategy.

He commended the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), the National Population Commission (NPC), development partners and other stakeholders involved in producing the survey and plan.

Pate also called for a shared national effort involving federal and state governments, the private sector, communities and households, stressing that malaria elimination could not be achieved by government alone.

The 2025 NMIS shows that malaria parasite prevalence among children aged six to 59 months, measured through microscopy, fell from 42 per cent in 2010 to 23 per cent in 2018, 22 per cent in 2021 and 15 per cent in 2025.

However, the national improvement masks substantial differences between states. Prevalence among children in the same age group ranged from two per cent in Lagos State to 31 per cent in Ebonyi State.

The figures indicate that progress has not been evenly distributed and that malaria control efforts must be adapted to the conditions in individual states and communities.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of NMEP, Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor, said the NMSP was developed from the 2025 NMIS findings and other programme data.

She said the evidence would help policymakers locate high-burden areas, improve the design of interventions and direct limited resources to communities most in need.

Ogbulafor said the plan was aligned with Nigeria’s health sector priorities and the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030.

She identified policy alignment, state-level leadership, domestic financing, partnerships and accountability as central to implementation.

The national coordinator urged state governments, civil society organisations and development partners to take ownership of the plan and support coordinated, adequately funded malaria programmes.

She said the differences in prevalence across states made subnational planning indispensable to meeting the national targets.

Ogbulafor called on states to develop comprehensive malaria control programmes reflecting local disease burdens, epidemiological evidence and available resources.

She also stressed the need for sustained domestic financing and partnerships to close funding gaps and maintain implementation through 2030.

NMEP, she said, would work with the National Malaria Working Group and international partners to track implementation, assess performance and review results regularly.

The plan aims to raise access to and use of preventive interventions to at least 80 per cent, achieve at least 90 per cent effective coverage of malaria diagnosis and appropriate treatment among at-risk populations, and improve surveillance performance from a baseline of 47 per cent to 70 per cent by 2030.

It also targets stronger governance and organisational capacity, with at least 60 per cent of malaria programme resources expected to come from domestic sources by 2030.

The survey data show that prevention remains uneven. Only 54 per cent of households had at least one insecticide-treated net, while 45 per cent of children under five and 54 per cent of pregnant women aged 15–49 slept under a net on the night before the survey.

Protection during pregnancy was also incomplete. Among women aged 15–49 who had a live birth in the preceding two years, 62 per cent received at least one dose of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine during their last pregnancy, but only 33 per cent received three or more doses.

The findings point to the need to expand access to insecticide-treated nets and intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women.

Diagnosis is another major gap. Of children under five who had a fever in the two weeks before the survey, 59 per cent had advice or treatment sought, but only 18 per cent had blood taken for malaria testing.

The strategic plan therefore places emphasis on prompt testing, appropriate treatment, preventive services and public awareness.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NPC, Dr Abubakar Muhammed, pledged the commission’s continued support for credible demographic and health data to guide policymaking and malaria elimination efforts.

Muhammed said the survey reflected the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through NMEP, and the NPC.

He said the collaboration brought together expertise in malaria control, demographic surveys and data management to produce information for national planning and development.

The NPC director-general said the commission would continue to modernise its survey operations through technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and spatial techniques.

He urged policymakers, programme managers, researchers and development partners to use the findings to refine strategies, improve implementation and target communities where interventions were most needed.

Muhammed commended the ministry, NMEP, technical consultants, state enumerators and field teams for their roles in conducting the survey.

He said the report would provide a strong evidence base for a coordinated national malaria response.

The launch of the NMIS report and NMSP 2026–2030 places the next phase of Nigeria’s malaria response on a clearer understanding of where the disease remains most entrenched, while challenging states and partners to convert that evidence into measurable local action.

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