Great cities all over the world are reputed to have good road networks. Infact, most of the celebrated cities in Nigeria can boast of good roads. The current government in Kogi State may not be comfortable with growing discontent among Kogians home and in diaspora and their relentless criticism of the present government in the state. A tour around the pride of the state, Lokoja, will give any right thinking person ample reasons to criticize the Governor and other political office holders in the state.
Good roads are visible, undeniable infrastructural development that cannot be hidden.
Ask anyone living in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, and they will tell you the city has just five (5) main roads namely;
- IBB Way (Barracks-Ganaja Junction-Post Office-Paparanda roundabout)
- Ganaja Road
- Hassan Katsina Road (Zone 8 roundabout-CBN-Crusher)
- New Market Road (Old market-Kabawa-International Market)
- Felele (Federal highway)
IBB Way (Barracks-Ganaja Junction-Post Office-Paparanda roundabout)
This is the longest road within Lokoja metropolis passing through Army Signal, front of Lokongoma Housing Estates, post office all through to Paparanda Roundabout. 90 percent of banks and corporate offices are located along this pathetic road.
Longest Road in Lokoja – Along Phase 2
IBB Way – Before Paparanda Roundabout
Front of Lokoja LGA Secretariat – IBB Way
Lokoja-Okene Road Close to Phase 2
Water-logged IBB Way in Lokoja
Bad road portions along IBB Way
It will be recalled that the administration of the immediate past governor Ibrahim Idris (aka Ibro) tarred this road twice in 2years and the current Wada-led administration reportedly patched the road sometimes last year but a drive through this road will raise a lot of questions as it is in a terrible state at the moment. Vehicular movement along this road is a torment to the long-suffering motorists in the ancient town.
Ganaja Road
The first 200 Units Housing Estate, 2nd 200 Units Housing Estate, Aniebo Quarters, 500 Units Housing Estate, Commissioners Quarters, the abandoned Confluence Beach Hotel and several private residences are located along this road.
Travellers going to or coming from the eastern part of Nigeria pass through this road on a daily basis.
This road was re-constructed and dualised by the administration of ex-gov. Ibrahim Idris.
A small part of this road was affected by the ravaging 2012 flood but this part as since been repaired by the current government. Work is on-going on this road to patch the numerous embarrassing potholes.
Hassan Katsina Road (Zone 8 roundabout-CBN-Crusher)
The new Confluence Stadium, relocated Government Science Secondary School, new Civil Service Commission Office, Central Bank of Nigeria Office, House of Assembly Complex, FIRS, High Court and a host of other public and private interests are located on this road.
New but Bad Hassan Katsina Road
Newly Commissioned Hassan Katsina Road – by State Secretariat Junction
Recently Commissioned Hassan Katsina Road
Zone 8 Roundabout
This road has been in a very bad state for years but motorists were happy when the current Wada-led government began work on the road sometimes last year. After much delay, the contractors that handled the job finished work this year 2014.
A drive along this road will keep one wondering whether the project was handled by certified construction company or it was awarded to farmers. The same road that was commissioned a few months ago is already in pathetic shape!
Something is obviously wrong somewhere!
New Market Road (Old market-Kabawa-International Market)
This is yet another road that is in bad shape without due attention.
Motorists driving from Nataco/International Market must drive with utmost care along Kabawa as a good portion of the road on both sides of the lane are in terrible shape.
Close to Old Market
Around Old Market
Around Kpata
Another portion along New Market Road
Between old market and John Holt bend leading to paparanda roundabout, you have to prayerfully meander your way through the multiple large potholes.
Felele (Federal Highway)
This is the best road around the Kogi state capital city, Lokoja. This is a Federal road and is always busy.
Shameful Politics of In-Town Roads
Aside these five main roads, government seem unconcerned about street roads and other in-town roads.
The current Wada government may have inherited the habit of tarring roads leading to residences of pro-government politicians and leaving roads leading to homes of opposition politicians in bad state.
Under Ibro, the inner roads around 1st 200 units housing estates were tarred. They tarred all routes leading to the house of the then Commissioner for Works, Dr Abu Adama and openly neglect the routes leading to the residence of the All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, Hon. Buba Jubril within the same housing estate.
The same administration tarred a small route after Lokongoma Phase 2 second gate and stopped work a few meters to the residence of Hon Dino Melaye, another opposition figure in the state.
The current administration recently tarred the road from beside government house all through to the residence of the Deputy Governor, Arc Yomi Awoniyi and notoriously stopped work right in front of Awoniyi’s residence. Prince Abubakar Audu’s residence is located few meters after this area.
Bad Road – DG Quarters after Deputy Governor’s residence
Kogi indigenes travel to other parts of the country and outside the country and they see how governments in other climes attend to road networks especially in capital cities. They are ashamed of their beloved state.
The current administration has not lived up to expectations. We are disappointed that a seasoned Captain assisted by an Architect cannot turn the situation around in our dear state.
Too bad!!!
- Tijani Abubakar Writes from Lokoja
