In a sharply worded critique, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, a PDP candidate for the Mata State Constituency in 2027, has highlighted what he describes as a pattern of abandoned projects under Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State. Iortyom’s post draws attention to the Ushongo-Gbem Road and Dura Bridge project as a prominent example of alleged underperformance despite substantial funding received by the administration.
According to the post, after more than three years in office, Governor Alia hosted the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Bola-Tinubu, in the state with little to show in terms of major infrastructure delivery beyond approximately 10.54 kilometres of short streets within Makurdi metropolis. Iortyom claims that across Benue, numerous projects initiated by the governor remain incomplete, with contractors often abandoning sites after delivering substandard work and with contract sums allegedly kept under wraps.
Focusing on the Ushongo-Gbem Road/Dura Bridge, the post details a rural road stretching roughly 18 kilometres from Ushongo Town in Mbayegh, through Hegha in Mbagwaza (both in Ushongo LGA), to Gbem Town in Vandeikya LGA, including a bridge over the Dura River. The contractor, Amaon Developers and Construction Company, owned by an individual from the Southeast reportedly linked to former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, is said to have limited experience in road construction, being primarily known for hospitality projects.
The company reportedly graded the road and tarred less than two kilometres from Ushongo Town while beginning preliminary work on the Dura Bridge with sub-structures and pillars. However, equipment was later removed from the site, leaving the project abandoned far from completion. Iortyom notes that untarred sections have suffered severe erosion from rainwater, creating deep gullies that make passage difficult, while even the short tarred portion is already showing signs of wear, including shoulder erosion and surface depressions.
The post further claims that Governor Alia’s administration has received an estimated ₦1.3 trillion into its coffers more than all preceding administrations since 1999 combined (excluding certain equity share proceeds from the Benue Investment and Property Company)—yet ranks low in performance compared to previous governors. Iortyom presents the situation as part of a broader legacy of abandoned projects accumulating in the state.
The commentary, dated 21st June 2026 and observing from Mata in Ushongo LGA, underscores ongoing concerns about infrastructure development and project execution in Benue State as the administration approaches the later stages of its tenure.
