Yuletide: Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa residents seek repair of roads
Residents of Kogi especially stakeholders have appealed to the federal and state governments to repair all bad roads across the state to prevent the recurring fatal road traffic crashes as the yuletide was fast approaching.
Most of the residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed fear that many Nigerians would soon ply the bad roads for Christmas and New Year and tangible things should be done to put them in a good shape.
Their fear stemmed from the fact that Kogi occupies a central spot in Nigeria where people across the country ply through the state as a gateway to both the Southern and Northern parts of the country.
Amb. Idris Muraina, Chairman, Kogi Non-Governmental Network (KONGNet), told NAN that the state of roads generally in Nigeria, is in terrible condition, and Kogi is not an exception.
Muraina said that Kogi as a gateway, travelers from the West, East, North and Southern parts of the country pass through “this corridor, therefore the little road facilities are naturally overwhelmed due to this factor.
“Not until recently the state government under the current administration has shown some level of interest in maintaining existing roads and opening up new access roads.
“This is because the Federal Government, over the years, had done a great level of disservice to the road infrastructure like the Lokoja-Abuja road had been under construction since 2003 without results,
“The Ganaja junction road through Ganaja village to Ajaokuta that was recently awarded to be constructed using concrete technology and that job has indeed suffered from a slow pace.
“The Okene – Ajaokuta bypass road was halted for no reasonable cause. All these road networks mentioned are interconnecting roads that should ordinarily ease the movement of Nigerians within and across the state but they are currently in bad condition.
“It is important to also mention that the ongoing construction of an overhead bridge at Kabba Junction will indeed ease the flow of traffic within that corridor to allow for free movement within the yuletide season and beyond.”
On the factors that caused bad roads across the country, Muraina attributed it to leaders’ insincerity, corruption and the lackadaisical attitudes of government agencies saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring road construction projects across the country.
The civil activist said that corruption was one of the challenges hindering the governments and road maintenance agencies to fill the many potholes common on the highways.
Muraina further said that the federal and state agencies saddled with the responsibilities of road maintenance and filling of potholes enjoy budgetary allocations every year, ”yet there’s nothing to show for it.
“The question is, what stops them from working?
“Unfortunately the usual Oga at the top will not give a hoot about the condition of the roads, ” he lamented.
He said that what needed to be done to address the deteriorating state of roads in Kogi and other states in the country rested on the commitment and sincerity of the government in handling the existing infrastructure.
According to him, the government and its agencies should wake up to its responsibilities and get the job done.
He added: “Again, the EFCC should start shining its search light on projects and contracts not executed or badly executed to bring to book any defaulters.
“In Kogi, I read the 2023 audited report wherein the state pegged road facilities at 1 per cent depreciation rate while vehicles were pegged at 20% even when the current reality of our road infrastructure and construction quality leaves a lot to be desired.
“For instance, some state road infrastructure will start showing signs of damages while still under construction, imaging pegging such roads at a 1 prt cr depreciation rate. Where’s the truth there?”
Mr. James Odiba, a Civil Activist and a Pastor with Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), said that most roads are in need of timely attention.
He said even in the Lokoja municipality particularly at NATACO junction and Ganaja side, all the way from the 500 housing units to Egoja cooking gas firm, and just before Ganaja bridge.
Odiba blamed heavy substandard construction and untimely repairs, poor surveillance, low budgetary provisions, use of ill-equipped contractors, delays in fund releases, poor supervision as reasons for the bad conditions of the roads.
“I’m appealing to the government for timely intervention on the condition of our roads to avert the impending unnecessary deaths during the yuletide, ” he pleaded.
Kogi West indigenes resident in Lokoja have bemoaned the hardship that they face as indegent’s, whenever they have to travel to their villages when situations arise for visits.
Motorists and commuters, mostly indigents of the Okun area, kogi west in Kogi State laments the hardships of the road while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria NAN on Friday in Lokoja.
Ekene Jegede, a commercial motorist who plies the Lokoja to the Kogi West senatorial District routes on daily basis, said the hardship he usually experiences between Mopa to Egbe community is very bitter.
Jegede said, “In this hard time I have to visit my Mechanic weekly to repair my vehicle due to the damages from the bad roads.
“Almost all the money I make from such trips as a commercial driver goes into repairs of the car. The hardship is a nightmare we have to grapple with, for years now.
“The bad situation of Mopa-Kabba road is very bad. The other roads from Kogi which lead to other neighbouring states like Ekiti and Kwara do portray the federal government in bad light.
“Kabba to Aiyetoro was patched by former lawmaker Sen. Smart Adeyemi of the Kogi West Senatorial district. But from Aiyetoro to Egbe and some other neighbouring towns around Egbe is hell. Ekene narrated.
He appealed to the federal, state and local governments to help rehabilitate the deteriorating roads.
A Legal practitioner, Mr Taiye James, said that the bad nature of the roads across the country demands Public Private Partnership for their maintenance.
James said this became imperative considering the fact that the government alone could not maintain the numerous roads in the country.
He said, “Nigerians have to bear the costs of the roads we drive on, because if the private sector with good accountability intervenes, that will help solve the problem.
“If Nigerian government can also alternatively embrace the public private partnerships PPP, for the private sector to invests in financing, constructing and managing the roads with the government regulating, we are bound to get good result
“Having poor maintenance culture is another pathetic issue affecting our roads and the corruption there.
“Corruption in Nigeria breeds roads that are not always built with high standard and proper materials are some of the reasons of bad roads in the country,”
Mr Yunusa Alhassan, Managing Director,
Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA), admitted that Kogi serves as a route for travelers heading to either the Northern and Southern parts of the country, often experiencing heavy traffic during the yuletide.
He said routes like the Lokoja-Okene, Lokoja-Kabba, Lokoja-Ejule and other link roads have been receiving prompt attention from both FERMA and KOGROMA and are largely motorable.
Alhassan admitted that a couple of routes in the state were in a very deplorable state, owing largely to age, weather, the growing volume and weight of traffic.
“At the beginning of the present administration of Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, major repairs and maintenance of the agency’s equipment and machines were carried out in readiness for road rehabilitation.
“At the moment, the Agency is currently rehabilitating and reconstructing roads in eight local government areas of the state with palliative repairs in about four roads cutting across both state and federal roads.
“The causes of bad roads anywhere in the world and Kogi state is not an exception.
“Some of the reasons include; poor construction procedure and quality, lack of timely and effective maintenance culture, heavy traffic loads, poor drainage systems, flooding and climate related erosion.
“These are reasons why KOGROMA from time to time carry out resurfacing of the roadways from time to time, intermittent pot holes patching and desilting of line drainages.
“The agency also carries out construction of line drainage, maintenance of roads shoulders and construction of hydraulic structure like rings and box culverts.
“However, non-prompt and inadequate funding sometimes militate against proactive maintenance.
“Asides, some of the challenges hindering the agency to fill potholes on the roads most often than not, are the persistent weather conditions, drainage failure, growing traffic volumes and high weight of traffic loads degrade road quality faster than repair can be made.
“Other challenges are; delayed or inadequate funding, high cost of road repair materials, Inadequate data and road monitoring systems make it difficult to prioritize urgent repairs,” he said.
Also, Kogi Director, FERMA, Mr Muktar Abdulrahim, said, FERMA was making concerted efforts to ensure seamless movement during this yuletide period through its forthcoming “Operation Connect to Your Destination.”
The director explained that the initiative, launched by the Agency’s Managing Director/CEO, aims to identify and rectify critical areas on highways to ensure free flow of traffic and hassle-free travel for road users.
He pointed out that several factors contribute to the deteriorating state of our roads, which include aging infrastructure.
“Many roads were constructed in the 80s, exceeding their lifespan and requiring reconstruction or rehabilitation, excessive axle loading largely due to the collapse of the railway network.
“The collapse has shifted the burden to roads, surpassing their capacity by threefold in spite of Climate change, especially Global warming, which leads to increased water levels and flow velocity, damaging roads.
“Such challenges couple with inadequate funding. are hindering pothole filling or road maintenance across the country.
“Therefore, as a solution, the government should increase funding provisions by ensuring the establishment of a National Road Maintenance Fund, ” he said.
Dr Ayo Olurunfemi, Labour Party (LP) chieftain, said Kogi roads from Abuja through to the eastern and western corridors are in bad shape thereby giving room for kidnapping and avoidable accidents.
Olurunfemi attributed the bad nature of the roads to lack of regular maintenance, corruption, and the recruitment process into political offices based on patronage.
Mr Samuel Oyedeji, FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, said some highways in Kogi state are considered to be in fairly good condition even though without pockets of failed portions along certain routes predominantly along the eastern and southern bound corridors.
Oyedeji attributed the bad roads to poor maintenance of existing roads which leads to deterioration and degradation of road surfaces.
“Also, lack of funds to execute rehabilitation projects and apathy to work by responsible agencies are some of the reasons behind the bad roads in the country.
“As a solution, there should be empowerment and expansion of the road rehabilitation agencies such as FERMA and KOGROMA to function in their total capacity as statutorily provided, ” he said.
In Niger state, Dr Abdullahi Jabi, Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights Advocacy Civil Society, has emphasised the urgent need for the state to engage local contractors for palliative arrangements for road maintenance.
He said the deplorable state of roads in Niger has become a major concern for travelers, businesses, and the economy.
Jabi said many are opting out of traveling due to the risks of accidents, robbery, and kidnapping.
“The cost of transportation is expected to triple by December, making it even more challenging for people to move around during yuletide.
“Instead of taking the risk, many are choosing to send money to their destinations, ensuring their safety,” he said.
He said Niger State, the largest in the country, has struggled with neglected roads since 1999.
He said the current administration under Gov. Umaru Bago has shown determination to address this issue, but. more needs to be done.
According to him, lack of alternative routes, aside Maje-Diko Road or Mage-Suleja Roads from Minna to Abuja or from Abuja to Minna has resulted in six-hour travel times and trapped travelers.
He noted that the state and Federal governments should deploy more hands to construct and maintain roads, install road lights to reduce crimes and criminalities.
He added that the government should station traffic officers and road marshals to direct traffic and collaborate with security agencies to provide security.
Also, Malam Shuaibu Yahaya, a commercial driver in Niger, urged the government to take immediate action to address the deteriorating state of roads ahead of the yuletide season.
He called for palliative measures to be put in place by the government to ensure safe travel during the holidays.
Similarly, a motorist, Jesse Dauda, said the government should partner with local contractors to undertake palliative arrangements and road maintenance, focusing on critical roads such as Suleja to Minna and Diko to Mage.
He added that the government should deploy more personnel to construct and maintain roads, ensuring they are motorable and safe for travelers during yuletide.
While, in Nasarawa state, a cross section of stakeholders in the transportation sector have commended the Federal Government for the construction of Keffi/Akwanga/Lafia/Makurdi Highway.
The stakeholders includes; National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), drivers as well as passengers.
Muhammadu Maikwarya, Nasarawa State Chairman of NURTW, praised the government’s efforts in addressing the nation’s infrastructure deficit.
“The Federal Government’s focus on road construction is a welcome development.
“The improved road network will boost economic growth, reduce travel times, and increase safety for commuters,” he added.
The NURTW boss noted that the reconstruction of major highways has reduced the risk of accidents and improved the efficiency of transportation.
“Our members have reported significant reductions in vehicle maintenance costs and travel times since the completion of the
Keffi/Akwanga/Lafia/Makurdi Highway
Saidu Abubakar, a driver in Lafia praised the government’s commitment to safety, citing the installation of safety features and enforcement of traffic regulations.
“We will continue to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that our roads remain safe for all users.”
He also commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for his vision in driving the road construction agenda in the state.
Also, Esther Luka, passenger, said that road crashes had reduced since the completion of the construction of the road.
She however, appealed for reduction of the price of petroleum products to cushion the effect of the current economic hardship in the country.
NAN
