Trans-Sahara highway: Minister gives fresh orders to save buildings, others

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, Saturday, directed a review of the design of Section Two of the Trans-Sahara Superhighway to minimise the demolition of buildings and other properties along the road alignment.

Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of the ongoing project, assuring communities along the corridor that the Federal Government would take steps to protect their properties while ensuring the successful execution of the road.

He said the project team had been instructed to avoid structures as much as possible, while affected properties and crops would be properly assessed and owners compensated where necessary.

“Nobody will touch your building,” Umahi told members of the host community, urging them to cooperate with the contractors and project management team to facilitate the construction.

The minister said the project was particularly important to communities that had never benefited from federal road infrastructure, noting that the highway would improve transportation, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and stimulate commerce across the corridor.

According to him, section two of the Trans-Sahara Superhighway covers approximately 173.4 kilometres, although the final length could vary slightly following the ongoing review of the design.

The design consultant for the project, Engr. Akelapa Edra, said the review was being undertaken in line with the minister’s directives, adding that measures were being incorporated to avoid properties and structures along the alignment.

Akelapa said some culverts in the original design were also being converted to bridges as part of efforts to reduce the impact of the project on communities.

“We are reviewing the design and incorporating all the directives and instructions given by the Honourable Minister,” he said, adding that the measures were reflected in the revised design.

The traditional ruler of Ndiagu Ishieke Autonomous Community in Ado Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state, HRH Eze Idenyi Agbo, commended the Federal Government for the project, particularly Umahi for ensuring that his palace was not demolished.

Eze Agbo described the minister’s approach as evidence that infrastructure development could be pursued without unnecessarily undermining the cultural heritage of host communities, while pledging the community’s cooperation with the project team.

Also speaking, a stakeholder in the community, Chief Patrick Agbo, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, describing the road as capable of transforming economic activities in the area.

He urged residents and youths to protect the construction workers and equipment and declared support for the APC in the 2027 elections.