A prominent labour leader, criminologist and security analyst, Comrade Simeon Eleojo Opaluwa, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the design and procurement of the Idah-Ibaji-Otuocha road, describing it as evidence that the president listens to the yearnings of the people.
Opaluwa made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, following the president’s approval of the road project connecting parts of Kogi and Anambra States.
Recall that over the last five years, Opaluwa has been a consistent voice calling for the construction of the 108-kilometre Otuocha-Ibaji-Idah Road, which links Kogi and Anambra States. He had repeatedly lamented that large stretches of the road had become dens for armed robbers and kidnappers, citing the danger it posed to commuters and residents of the affected communities.
In the statement, Opaluwa highlighted the far-reaching benefits the road would bring once completed.
“This road, when constructed, will reduce the average travel time from Onitsha to Abuja by over four hours,” he said.
He noted that beyond cutting travel time, the road would ease connectivity between parts of the South East and South South geopolitical zones and the nation’s capital.
“Aside reducing the travel time, linking some parts of South East and South South geo-political zones to the nation’s capital will be made easy by road,” he added.
Opaluwa also stressed the economic significance of the project, noting that it would open up agrarian communities in Anambra and Kogi states to wider markets.
“The economic advantage of the road cannot be over-emphasised, as it will open up the agrarian communities of Anambra and Kogi states to the entire world,” he said.
He further expressed optimism that the road, once completed, would help decongest already overstretched routes linking some South East and South South states to Abuja.
Opaluwa’s commendation adds to growing reactions from stakeholders in the Kogi-Anambra corridor, many of whom have long advocated for improved road infrastructure to boost security and economic activity in the region.
