Kogi as we know is and as such should appear as one, but the reverse is the case. In terms of the road network, Kogi is ranking one of the worst among all the neighboring states. Poor funding and maintenance are major contributors to this problem.
You can hardly go a mile without seeing numerous potholes. This has contributed immensely to the high rate of accidents we encounter on Kogi roads. Despite the annual allocation for repairing transport
infrastructure planned by the government, we have not seen any reasonable change on the Kogi road network and this has added to high transport costs, as motorists find it hard to access some major
business areas.
The problem of bad roads in the state has become an embarrassing stigma. In many parts of this state, normal interaction has been frustrated by bad roads. Vehicle owners are in distress as their vehicles are not used optimally. Moreover, the very many potholes and detours mean that vehicles keep breaking down so that on many of Kogi’s roads emergency mechanics have sprung up to assist stranded
commuters sometimes with disastrous consequences.
The road to Isanlu from Ilorin is so bad that vehicles using that road invariably retire to a mechanics workshop at the end of every journey.
Transporters are hurting and are bewildered that despite their payment of all road taxes to the State Government and the various rates to local governments, little is being done to repair the roads upon which their livelihood depends. Armed robbers are a constant threat particularly at night. It is common for thieves, rapists and other miscreants to ensconce themselves in bad portions of the roads where
all vehicles virtually come to a halt. Commuters are in trouble as bad roads make it impossible to plan a journey or predict arrival time. Commercial activity is suffering as goods and services are now in short supply leading to price increases in practically all consumer items.
The government at least on paper has voted billions for the rehabilitation of our road network. Previous state commissioners of Works have assured that contracts had been awarded, but nothing concrete ever happens on the ground. It has been suggested that the EFCC should be persuaded to look into what happened to the billions allocated for road works and whilst at it, to investigate similar billions said to have been expended on energy. This matter is important because our state cannot develop with rickety infrastructure and will not succeed in attracting direct foreign investment or tourism when things are this bad.
There is the problem of erosion impacting on the road network. Whole sections of our roads are being washed away by erosion and poorly planned or non-existent drainage system. Additionally there are many bridges without any warning signs and no handrails. Vehicles have been known to plunge into the river with grave consequences.
All the main arteries now have dangerous potholes. It is practically impossible to avoid all of them as quite often one preventive manoeuvre often leads the driver into yet another pothole. There have been accidents and in some cases loss of lives and property. Trailers and tankers are quite vulnerable. Nigerian trailers often do not secure the containers they carry, relying on their weight for stability. As a result of a combination of circumstances, Lokoja-Okene road is littered with overturned trailers, tankers and containers. Accidents involving trailers often lead to marathon hold-ups. These tales of woe are replicated in other parts of the state.
Traveling on Kabba-Obajana, Okene-Lokoja and Mopa-Ilorin roads is traumatic going by the number of gullies and Overloaded vehicles that ply that road on regular basis thereby making those roads almost impassable.
Already bad roads have led to a reduction in travel and luxury buses are having difficulty filling their seats. In a state with hardly any railway, a risky air service and now no roads, the citizens of Kogi feel trapped with nowhere to turn. The time-honoured idea of road camps should be revived so that
deteriorating sections can be quickly repaired.
Another problem besetting Kogi roads is that they are not designed for expansion. As the volume of traffic increases, road construction should be seen to be keeping pace accordingly.
The lack of maintenance of roads in Kogi has become a public issue as Kogites are daily lamenting this failure of leadership. Good roads are a basic component of good governance. Kogites are routinely being put at risk everyday as a result of the failure of the state to provide adequate amenities for its citizens.
All the authorities involved in road construction and maintenance should buckle down and do something to remove this blot on Kogi ‘s image.
Balogun Emmanuel Funsho writes from Ilorin, Kwara state. He can be reached on 07034444976 or via irule9ja@gmail.com
