By Muslimat Itopa
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Thursday flagged off the construction of the 38.5-kilometre Kabba Oke ofin-Olle -Iluke road pledging to end decades of hardship suffered by residents of Bunu land and neighbouring communities.
The project is expected to ease transportation, boost agricultural activities and unlock economic opportunities for rural communities in the area.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Ododo said the road had suffered decades of neglect, leaving farmers, traders and residents with enormous transportation challenges and limited access to markets and other essential services.
“For decades, this road was abandoned. Governments came and went, and the people of Olle-Bunu, Iluke-Bunu and the communities along this corridor were left to struggle with a road that was so bad. Our farmers watched their harvests perish because they could not reach the market,” the governor said.
Ododo explained that his decision to embark on the project was informed by his personal experience during a visit to Iluke-Bunu following an attempted kidnap of students who were writing their examinations.
“On my way, many advised me to take a more convenient road. I refused. I chose this road because I wanted to feel what you feel every day. The journey was painful and uncomfortable. On that day, I made up my mind that this road must be fixed. Today, we are taking a bold step towards making that determination a reality,” he stated.
The governor noted that the project also demonstrated his administration’s determination to consolidate the gains recorded in restoring security in Bunu land, stressing that peace must be accompanied by development to achieve meaningful progress.
He described the road as a link between the people and their ancestral homes, and called on indigenes of Bunu land residing in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country to return home, invest and contribute to the development of their communities.
Governor Ododo commended President Bola Tinubu for his support for Kogi State, describing the project as one of the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He urged the people of Bunu land to sustain their support for the Federal Government, and called on residents to put aside political, communal and personal differences and work together for the development of the area.
The governor warned the contractor against compromising standards, insisting that the government would not tolerate substandard work or unnecessary delays.
“Our people have waited for decades, and they will not wait in vain. We expect quality work, strict adherence to specifications and timely delivery. The government will monitor this project closely, and so will the people. There will be no room for shortcuts or excuses,” he emphasised.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Momoh Salami Ozigi, described the flag-off as another significant milestone in the Ododo administration’s efforts to improve rural connectivity and stimulate economic development across the state.
Ozigi assured the governor that the ministry would work closely with the contractor and relevant stakeholders to ensure successful execution of the project.
He, however, appealed to residents and community leaders to cooperate with the contractor, maintain a peaceful environment and protect government equipment and other facilities during construction.
In his remarks, the representative of the contracting firm, Simon Xu, appreciated the Kogi State Government for the confidence reposed in the company and the opportunity to execute the project.
He assured the government and the host communities that the company would work in accordance with the approved specifications and stipulated completion period.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings