Illorin-Lokoja Highway: Kwara, Kogi Governors seek intervention
By Aanya Igomu
The Governors of Kwara amd Kogi states in Northcentral Nigeria have sort President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention to speedup the dualization of the Illorin-Lokoja Federal Highway.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State made the appeal when they paid a visit to the Minister of Work, David Umahi at the Ministry in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Governor Abdulrazaq who spoke for the governors said they need the government’s intervention to fix the road which stretches to Makurdi- Gboko in Benue State all the way to Benin Republic.
He said it was an important road as it affects the economy in the areas of development of naturals resources and agriculture in Nigeria.
“The primary purpose of this visit is to encourage the Federal Government to look into the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization of the Federal Highway. And it’s a very major important road, which is not just an economic road, it is a belt of solid minerals in Nigeria and agricultural belt. So that road will open up the entire region for business, for commerce, agriculture” Governor Abdulrazaq said.
The Works Minister while noting that fund for the illorin – Lokoja road is not part of the 2024 Budget added that the Ministry would consider the funding process and start the project after getting approval from the President.
He explained that Nigeria’s President is interested in the development of infrastructure around the country hence the many road projects going on across the states.
“In all honesty, the roads are very terrible. But if you look at what we had when I took over in the month of August and what we are doing now, you will see a lot of commitment by Mr. President, not just on that stretch…, but all over the country. That’s why he directed that I must visit all the States and all the projects.
“And so, for coming and you had discussed this project with Mr. President, he does not joke with the welfare of Nigerians. He’s one person that is infrastructure committed right from when he was Governor. Even on his own personal businesses, you’ll see the development of infrastructure. So, he’s very much interested. He understands that the road is everything in this country. It will improve security, improve agriculture, improve commerce and so on and so forth” Umahi said.
ABUJA-LOKOJA-BENIN HIGHWAY
In a separate development, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has expressed satisfaction with the quality of work being done on thr Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Highway which is being built with concrete technology.
While Inspecting the progress made so far with the project in Kogi State, Northcentral Nigeria, Senator Umahi commended Gitto Construction Nigeria Ltd and the CGC Nigeria Ltd for doing a good job.
Umahi noted that building roads on concrete technology would create jobs, reduce road failures, guarantee durability with little maintenance, which would in turn help in strengthening the economy of the country.
” They are doing fantastic work. We’re trying to also bring our first concrete road technology to show the public that the moment you use this concrete technology for the next 50, 60, 70, 80 years, your road will continue to be there with zero maintenance. And that’s what we’ve agreed with contractors, especially on the new carriageway for Lokoja to Benin” Umahi said.
The Minister added that there would be a flyover at the Obajana junction in Lokoja that will resolve traffic problems and accidents along the road.
The Kogi State Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Salifu Joel Oyibo during the inspection tour commended the Bola Tinubu’s administration for giving high priority to federal road projects in the States.
He assured the Minister of Works of continued cooperation and support of the Kogi State Government towards the completion of all federal road projects in the state.
