Kogi state government has officially handed over the site for the construction of the Iyale–Odolu Efu–Oganenigwu road to Swaleys Nigeria Ltd for the commencement of work.
The ceremony, which took place on Tuesday at Odolu Efu in Oganenigwu Ward, Dekina Local Government Area, was performed by the Ministry of Energy and Rural Development on behalf of the state government.
Speaking at the event, the Kogi State Project Coordinator of RAAMP commended Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for embarking on the construction of the road after several decades of neglect, noting that the project would open up rural communities and ease transportation challenges.
On his part, the Managing Director of Swaleys Nigeria Ltd expressed appreciation to the government for entrusting the company with the project. He described Governor Ododo as a leader with deep concern for rural communities in Kogi State.
According to him, the project was designed in phases: the first phase involved survey and tracking, which had been completed a few weeks ago, while the second phase, which has now commenced, involves clearing, setting out, and full construction work.
Thousands of residents from the area, cutting across 11 communities in Oganenigwu Ward, namely Ajachaga, Ajatalawo, Odolu Efu, Odolu Ojegbe, Otutulu, Awujeje, Oti Ate, Oti Ogane, Ugbabo, Ajadafo, expressed excitement over what they described as a wonderful development in the history of their ward.
A community leader, the Gago, recalled that the road had been in a deplorable state for several decades, leading to enormous losses of abundant farm produce due to the lack of access roads to nearby markets in Anyigba and Bagana.
Also speaking, a critical stakeholder from Oganenigwu Ward, Dr. Ocholi Hassan Abdulrahman, thanked Governor Ododo and his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for coming to the rescue of the people. He lauded the governor for keeping his campaign promises, describing him as a “perpetual promise keeper.”
Dr. Ocholi said the suffering endured by the people over the years was inexplicable and urged the communities to cooperate with the contractor and engineers to ensure timely delivery of the project within the 18-month contract period.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Abubakar Nuhu, described the event as historic and thanked Governor Ododo for responding to what he termed a “massive community project.”
Meanwhile, the contractor has officially commenced work on the site.
