Kabba-Bunu Road: Ododo Begins 38.5km Construction in Kogi »

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has flagged off the construction of the 38.5-kilometre Kabba-Olle-Bunu-Iluke-Bunu Road in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, a project expected to improve connectivity and economic activities in communities that have endured decades of poor road infrastructure.

The flag-off ceremony, held at Oke-Ofin on Thursday, attracted residents and stakeholders from across Bunu land. Ododo described the project as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the people, assuring them that his administration would not abandon any community, regardless of its location.

The governor recalled how the deplorable condition of the road had affected farmers, businesses and residents, particularly those struggling to transport agricultural produce to markets. He also noted that many indigenes living outside Kogi State had experienced difficulties visiting their ancestral communities because of the poor road network.

Ododo said his personal visit to Iluke-Bunu following a security incident involving students further strengthened his determination to rehabilitate the road.

He explained that the Kabba-Bunu road project formed part of his administration’s commitment to complementing security restoration with infrastructure development, stressing that lasting peace must be supported by economic opportunities and improved public infrastructure.

According to him, the road would facilitate the transportation of yams, cassava, cashew and other agricultural produce, reduce transportation costs, shorten travel time and stimulate commercial activities across Bunu land.

The governor also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support, describing the increased financial resources available to state governments following the Federal Government’s economic reforms as an important factor in enabling subnational governments to undertake major infrastructure projects.

He urged residents to demonstrate ownership of the project by monitoring its execution, protecting construction equipment and ensuring that the contractor maintained the required quality standards.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the flag-off as a historic development, recalling his personal experience of trekking from Iluke to Ole-Bunu because of the poor condition of the road.

Fanwo said the road had remained in terrible condition for more than 35 years, adding that its construction would open up several communities in Bunu land to greater economic and social opportunities.

He expressed optimism that future generations would remember the intervention for its potential impact on the development of the area.

The Commissioner for Education, who is also an indigene of the benefiting community, commended the governor for the project, describing it as a major breakthrough for residents who had endured years of hardship due to poor accessibility.

He said the Kabba-Bunu road would improve the transportation of agricultural produce, attract businesses, support existing investments in electricity and education, and potentially help reduce criminal activities by improving movement and accessibility.

The education commissioner also assured the governor that communities along the road corridor would cooperate to protect the contractor’s personnel and equipment throughout the construction period.

Speaking on behalf of the contractor, TEC Engineering, the company’s Kogi State Project Supervisor, Simon Xu, disclosed that the project had an 18-month completion period.

Xu assured the state government and residents that the company was prepared to deliver quality work, citing its experience in Nigeria and the availability of the necessary equipment and personnel as factors that would support timely execution.

He, however, appealed to host communities to cooperate with the company and ensure the safety of workers and construction equipment throughout the project.

The construction of the 38.5-kilometre road is expected to improve access between communities along the corridor and strengthen agricultural and commercial activities across Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.