Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Makurdi, Nigeria — A concerned indigene of Benue State, Jeremiah Mchianan, has formally raised alarm over the prolonged neglect of the Makurdi–Yandev–Ugbema Road, a key transport artery that has deteriorated to a perilous condition, causing hardship for commuters, traders, farmers and host communities alike. His petition accusing authorities of inaction has triggered a decisive response from the Federal Ministry of Works, which has mandated the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the road’s abandonment and determine accountability.
For years, the Makurdi–Yandev–Ugbema corridor — part of a network of federal roads linking major towns and rural communities in Benue — has been in a state of acute disrepair. Deep potholes, washed-out sections and eroded edges have turned what should be a routine journey into a hazardous ordeal for motorists and passengers. The dilapidated condition has also exacerbated insecurity, with prolonged travel times and frequent breakdowns creating opportunities for criminal attacks on vulnerable road users. Community protests and public outcry over similarly afflicted federal highways in Benue underscore the gravity of the problem, with activists and residents previously blocking key roads in protest of years without meaningful intervention.
Mchianan’s petition called attention not only to the worsening physical state of the road, but also to the apparent lack of sustained effort by the originally engaged contractor to complete or maintain the project. The neglect, he argued, has had a cascading impact on local economic activity, constraining farmers’ ability to transport produce, raising the cost of goods and isolating rural communities at a time when safe and reliable transport infrastructure is critical for development.
Responding to the petition, the Federal Ministry of Works announced that it had directed the ICPC, Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption agency, to launch a thorough investigation into the project. The Commission’s mandate includes examining contract awards, disbursement of funds, compliance with procurement procedures, and the reasons behind the contractor’s prolonged absence from the site. The aim is to uncover potential malfeasance, ensure accountability, and recommend corrective action that will facilitate the resumption and completion of work on the road.
This action reflects a broader government initiative to strengthen oversight of federal infrastructure projects across the country. In late 2025, the Ministry of Works alongside the ICPC began tracking and physically auditing hundreds of federal road projects nationwide as part of a system-wide effort to safeguard public investments and stem the tide of abandoned works.
Local residents and leaders have welcomed the directive but emphasised that the investigation must lead to tangible outcomes. “We have heard promises for years, but our people still suffer on this road,” said a community representative in Makurdi. Stakeholders say that unless the probe results in renewed construction activity and proper maintenance, the plight of road users will continue to worsen, particularly during the rainy season when sections of the roadway become nearly impassable.
The neglect of the Makurdi–Yandev–Ugbema Road is not an isolated case in Benue. Other federal highways in the state, including the Yandev–Ugbema stretch and the Makurdi–Naka route, have similarly faced years of neglect, prompting public demands for federal intervention. In some instances, youth groups and civil society organisations have taken to blocking roads in protest of government inaction, describing certain stretches as among the worst in the country.
Benue State hosts a significant portion of Nigeria’s agriculturally productive Middle Belt, and reliable roads are essential for transporting food and goods both within the state and to markets beyond. The dilapidated state of federal highways has been cited as a deterrent to investment, a catalyst for insecurity on rural stretches where breakdowns leave travellers stranded, and a hindrance to socio-economic development.
The involvement of the ICPC introduces a crucial accountability mechanism that civil society advocates say has long been lacking. If carried out transparently and conclusively, the investigation could shed light on project mismanagement and open the door for enforcement actions against errant contractors or officials found culpable.
State and community leaders have expressed optimism that the probe will break the cycle of abandonment that has plagued the Makurdi–Yandev–Ugbema Road. “This road links several communities and is vital for our economy,” one local council chairman said. “We hope that with this investigation, work will resume and our people will no longer endure the suffering that comes with this neglected corridor.”
Meanwhile, users of the beleaguered road continue to navigate its treacherous terrain, adapting to hazards that range from impassable surface conditions to security concerns born of extended travel times. For many, each journey is marked by increased vehicle repair costs, delays, and the anxiety of traveling a route whose condition compounds the everyday challenges of life in the region.
The Federal Ministry of Works has pledged to support the ICPC’s investigative efforts and to take swift action based on the Commission’s findings. Should negligence or corruption be established, officials say the ministry will move to reassign contracts, enforce penalties, and accelerate rehabilitation work. The outcome of the investigation is expected to serve as a case study in improving project monitoring and execution across Nigeria’s vast road network.
As the people of Benue await the results, there is growing anticipation that the renewed focus on accountability and infrastructure integrity will finally translate into progress on one of the state’s most critical transport corridors — fulfilling a long-standing demand of commuters, traders, farmers and residents whose livelihoods hinge on reliable roads.
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