By Ralph Agbana.
Member of House of Representatives for Yagba East, Yagba West, Mopamuro Federal Constituency, Hon Leke Abejide has explained the rationale behind the imminent barricade of the Southeast Yagba road. Noting that the measure became imperative to “protect infrastructure legacy”, Abejide decried the sudden diversion of heavy articulated vehicles to the road still under reconstruction, a development capable of undermining the progress attained since the project was inaugurated about five months ago.
In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, the lawmaker announced that the road will be barricaded to trailers until completion.
On February 16, 2025, Abejide performed the ground breaking of the 57.2 Kilometres road construction from Igbagun to Ijowa in Yagba East Local Council, Kogi State.
The stretch, under construction with asphalt layers, when completed, will pass through 10 communities while also opening up the economies of 15 communities and is to last about 30 years. The areas to be covered include Igbagun, Alu, Oranre, Ife-Olukotun, Ponyon, Agimi, Jege, Ejuku, Imela, Takete-Ishao and Ijowa-Isanlu communities.
Although the project facilitated by Abejide is embedded in the 2025 budget at the cost of N60bn, the statement notrd that funds were yet to be released for the project by the Federal Government at the time of this report.
Abejide, in the statement, said, “Information reaching me is that heavy articulated vehicles (trailers) have now diverted to the 57.2KM road we just began constructing — even though funds for the project have not yet been released. In fact, the award letter is still pending. The contractor commenced the work using his personal resources out of respect for me and belief in our shared vision. I want to inform you, my good people of Southeast Yagba, that the road will be barricaded to restrict access to articulated vehicles exceeding 15 tons until construction is completed”.
The statement added, “Once completed, heavy-duty vehicles will be tolled to ensure proper maintenance and durability. Arrangements are underway with the federal government for tolling after the project’s completion, so we won’t have to search for funds to maintain the road 30 years down the line. Those familiar with operations at the federal level know how difficult it is to secure a N500m project—it’s like a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Securing a N60bn project for our axis is monumental. I have already secured N15.25 bn of that amount, with the support of my political mentor, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Please bear with us for any inconvenience this may cause. We will not allow anyone to compromise the legacy we are working hard to build”.
