Wurukum Flyover: Alia Clears Way for Construction with Compensation Payments.
By Raymond Enoch
In a landmark move poised to reshape Makurdi’s urban landscape, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has approved and released payments for the compensation of property owners affected by the Right of Way (RoW) along the proposed site of the Wurukum Flyover—a major infrastructure project expected to decongest traffic and beautify the city.
This decisive step signals the green light for the commencement of construction works on the 600-meter flyover, which will stretch from just after the River Benue Bridge and terminate near the bustling Atorough Tyough Plaza.
The approval comes months after the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, sanctioned the dualisation of the Lafia-Makurdi-Ninth Mile Road in February 2024. Building on this momentum, Governor Alia personally advocated for the inclusion of a flyover at the Wurukum Roundabout—an epicenter of Makurdi’s traffic bottleneck—into the federal project plan. Following inspection and consultations, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works granted approval for the governor’s request.
Speaking in Makurdi on Friday, Engr. Mlumun Ikpaahindi, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, confirmed the release of the compensation funds, describing it as “a historic and people-centered move.”
“The release of funds for the RoW paves the way for the construction of the flyover to begin,” Ikpaahindi stated. “This shows the governor’s commitment to the progress and transformation of Benue State. We thank him sincerely for this approval.”
She revealed that all evaluation exercises and negotiations with affected property owners had been completed, with both parties reaching satisfactory agreements. She emphasized that signed and approved documents for compensation were now fully in place.
The flyover, according to Ikpaahindi, is designed not only to ease traffic congestion but also to connect major economic corridors—linking the North Bank area, Otukpo Road axis, and the eastern route out of Makurdi. The infrastructure will play a crucial role in improving town planning and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the state capital.
As construction preparations begin in earnest, Ikpaahindi called on road users to bear with the government during the period of temporary inconvenience.
“We appeal to motorists and residents to exercise patience,” she said. “Construction will cause some disruption, but we are ensuring that alternate routes and diversions are provided to reduce traffic impact.”
She added that road signs and clear directional markings will be deployed from the River Benue Bridge to the Atorough Tyough Plaza, while a media sensitization campaign will be activated to keep the public informed through radio and social media platforms.
The project brings together key stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Works, the Benue State Ministry of Works, and the Benue State Urban Development Board. The flyover construction is being handled by China Harbour Engineering Company, with E.A. Iordaa serving as independent estate valuers, and the Governor’s Office represented by Engr. Ikpaahindi in her advisory capacity.
The Wurukum Flyover is not just another infrastructure project—it marks a pivotal step in actualizing Governor Alia’s vision for a modern, efficient, and future-ready Benue State. By addressing urban congestion and promoting connectivity, the flyover is set to leave a lasting imprint on the capital city’s development narrative.
