Obajana–Oshokoshoko–Kabba–Mopa–Isanlu–Egbe Road: A Sure Link to Improve Socio-Economic Development In Nigeria

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Abu Micheal, Chief Press Secretary to Kogi State Deputy Governor looks at the hardship faced by people and commuters who ply Lokoja- Kabba-  Egbe – Ilorin Road and reiterated the need for the Federal Government’s timely intervention to cushion the sufferings of the people.

Provision of infrastructure is cardinal to good governance. This will, perhaps explain why governments all over the world and at all levels, place it on their topmost agenda.

Infrastructure like; Roads, Portable Water supply, Electricity, etc remain key issues of development. Apart from being evidences of development, they also enhance both economic and social lives of the people.

Michael Abu, Chief Press Secretary to Kogi State Deputy Governor

Michael Abu, Chief Press Secretary to Kogi State Deputy Governor

A hitherto unknown settlement can be advertised by a mere link through a good road. Little wonder, many communities in Nigeria will stop at nothing to have government come to their aid by fixing their roads. It will instantly open such communities to opportunities and enhances their socio -economic status.

It is equally true that bad roads are responsible for most of the accidents that happen on our roads. At the same time, bad roads hasten the process of tear and wear of various cars and impoverish the owners.

Also, pothole infested roads, are increasingly becoming the operational zones of criminals particularly, armed robbers.

This is true of the Obajana-Oshokoshoko-Kabba-Mopa-Isanlu-Egbe road. This is a Federal road that link most parts of the West Senatorial District to the rest part of Kogi State. It is also the fastest link between Kwara State and Kogi State. The road is now in a deplorable state and it has also become a safe haven for armed bandits who now subject motorists still plying the route to harrowing experiences.

First constructed in 1974/75, the road boosted economic activities in the whole of the present Kogi West Senatorial District. This district consists mainly of rural communities whose main occupation is Agriculture. With the deplorable condition of the road, the farmers are now facing a lot of economic hardship as they are finding it difficult to transport their products to the markets.

Also, because of the high volume of traffic that the road used to enjoy, there were substantial number of Petrol stations and other businesses. Similarly there were so many eateries on the stretch of road which were stop over points for motorists. But today, many of the eatery operators have either closed shop or been forced to scale down on their operation.

The only good portion of the road is that which was undertaken by Dangote Group of Companies from Kabba  Junction to the Dangote Cement Factory site at Obajana.

There is no doubt that the activities in the Cement Company have also contributed in no small measure to the increase in the volume of traffic, particularly heavy duty vehicles on the road. Thus, putting more pressure on the road. The company itself has lost many of its articulated trucks to the road via accidents.

The State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, who has obviously been worried about the deplorable state of the road, took advantage of the occasion of the commissioning of the third phase of the Dangote cement project last year and the presence of President Goodluck Ebele

Jonathan to appeal to the Federal Government to make the road a priority in 2013 considering its social and economic importance.

The President of the Company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote during a visit to victims ravaged by flood in the state last year also pledged to complete the remaining stretch of road up to Kabba once the grey areas has been sorted out between his company and the Federal Government.

This road has become a major source of concern to many people in Kogi State because the various alternative routes they have been forced to take in order to connect to Kwara State and some other states in South West often elongated their journey. For those that still ply the route, they have often have to bear high costs of repairs on their vehicles and often fall victims of armed robbers.

Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf, Member Representing Kabba/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said he will remain unfulfilled as a Federal Lawmaker if the road is not fixed. He said his people are daily subjected to all manner of hardship due to the deplorable state of the road. He added that in spite of his countless visits to the authorities concerned, nothing is being done about the road.

Hon. Funso Olumko, the former Liaison Officer 1 for Ijumu Local Government Area is also as worried as other indigene of Kogi State particularly, at the refusal of the Federal Government to include the project in its 2013 budget in spite of all entreaties to it. The continued neglect of the road, he explained, poses great threat to the State and by extension the whole country.

Hon. Afolabi Oluyori, Member Representing Ijumu Constituency in the State House of Assembly, shares similar opinion on the state of the road.

He lamented the number of robbery and rape cases on that road as worst in the recent time. He called for urgent steps that will help protect lives and properties of motorists on that road.

The traditional ruler of Obajana, home of Dangote Cement Factory,  Oba (Engr.) Joseph Idowu Isenibi JP, and the Council Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Hon Funsho Olorunfemi, also spoke on the deplorable state of the road and its implications for Kogi State and the nation. They called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency fix the road in view of its socio-economic importance and the hardship faced by the people of the area.

They lamented the collapse of commercial activities on the stretch of the road which over the years serve as a vibrant route for vehicles heading to the south western parts of the country.

For the Government and the people of Kogi State, the fixing of this road like most other Federal roads in the State that are in deplorable conditions, is germane to the realization of the transformation agenda of the State Government. It is obvious that the road is far beyond the capacity of the State Government to undertake given the very limited resources accruing to the State.

The road after several lobby was not accommodated in 2013 Appropriation Bill of the Federal Government, but, Hon. Austin Madeiyedun a Special Adviser to the State Government, says he is still hopeful that something can be done by way of a supplementary budget. According to him,the State Government should in conjunction with the National Assembly members from the state form a synergy in ensuring that the road is repaired to reduce the hardship been faced by the people. He described the road as vital than some other roads that has gotten Federal Government’s attention,wondered why the state with the support it has given the President Goodluck Jonathan led administration will wait this long to be considered in the award of the road.

A High Chief from Egbe, HRH Oba Ayodele Irukera who is the Baale of Egbe also commented on the state of the road and said the road which was flagged off in 1974/75, opened up the entire area to a flood-gate of economic benefits, but added that since the last couple of years, those opportunities were no longer available because of the deplorable state of the road.

One reason that he said accounted for the present state of the road is the Dangote trailers that ply the road,called on the company to work out a way of fixing the road which became bad by reason of the movement of the heavy vehicle from the cement company.

On what is the implication for the people if the road is not fixed. High Chief HRH Oba Ayodele Irukera Baale of Egbe also has this to say.
“My people daily are confronted with armed robbers and hoodlums on the road. We can no longer carry out our commercial activities as people have ceased plying the road to Ilorin. For now we are a people cut off completely from happenings around us especially for our farmers”
Hon. Shola Adebola former Liaison Officer 1 for Yagba – East Local Government Area, one of the Local Council Areas linked by the road said his area has made several position papers to the appropriate quarters all to no avail,called on the federal Government to make the road a priority in the coming year. He described the road as a short link to the south west,appealed for the Federal Government intervention.
It is a gamut of issues. Transporters and commuters alike have their own pains also. So, it is for farmers, market women and business men and women who see the deplorable state of the road as the worst pain and suffering inflicted on them by the government not fixing the road after it became bad years ago.
The Obajana – Oshokoshoko – Kabba – Mopa – Isanlu – Egbe road according to Yomi Awoniyi, State Deputy Governor and an indigene of Mopa, a town the road passes is one road that is no doubt central to the socio-economic life of Okun land, Kogi State and Nigeria. For him, it is a connecting link to several States in the South West of Nigeria.
He added that Since transporters abandoned the road because of its deplorable state, many businesses along the route have packed up.
He added that the State Government is not resting until the road is fixed.
In his words,”I have visited the Minister of Works on several occasion regarding that road and I am optimistic that he will soon live up to his promise”
For now, there seems to be no other thing that interests the people as much as to have the Federal Government fix the road which is increasingly becoming a death trap via accidents and armed robbery.


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