Governance
Ododo Flags Off 38.5km Kabba–Olle-Bunu–Iluke Road, Ends Decades of Neglect
By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Oke-Ofin, Kabba Bunu LGA
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has flagged off the construction of the 38.
Addressing a mammoth crowd during the flag-off ceremony on Thursday at Oke-Ofin, Governor Ododo described the project as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the people of Bunu land.
He said the road would usher in a new chapter in the history of the area by reconnecting communities that had remained isolated for years.
The Governor recalled how the deplorable condition of the road had negatively affected farmers, businesses and residents, forcing farmers to struggle to transport their produce to markets, while many indigenes living outside the state found it difficult to visit their ancestral homes.
He disclosed that his personal experience during a visit to Iluke-Bunu, following a security incident involving students, further strengthened his determination to rehabilitate the road.
Ododo explained that the project was part of his administration’s commitment to complementing the restoration of security with tangible development, stressing that peace without infrastructure and economic opportunities would remain incomplete.
According to him, the road would ease 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 the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the increased financial resources available to state governments following the Federal Government’s economic reforms as a significant factor enabling subnational governments to execute major infrastructure projects.
He urged residents to embrace unity and take ownership of the project by monitoring its execution, protecting construction equipment and ensuring that quality standards were maintained.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the flag-off as a historic moment, particularly because of his personal connection to Bunu land.
Fanwo recalled trekking from Iluke to Ole-Bunu due to the deplorable condition of the road, which he said had remained in terrible condition for more than 35 years.
He noted that the project would open up several communities in Bunu to greater economic and social opportunities, adding that generations yet unborn would remember the intervention.
The Commissioner of Education, an indigene of the benefiting community, also expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo, describing the project as a major breakthrough for residents who had endured years of hardship due to the inaccessible road.
He said the completion of the road would improve the transportation of agricultural produce, attract businesses, support existing investments in electricity and education, and help reduce criminal activities by improving movement and accessibility.
He assured the Governor that communities along the road corridor would work together to protect the contractor’s personnel and equipment.
Speaking on behalf of the contractor, the Kogi State Project Supervisor of TEC Engineering, Simon Xu, disclosed that the project had an 18-month completion period.
He assured the government and residents of the company’s readiness to deliver quality work, explaining that its experience in Nigeria, alongside the availability of equipment and personnel, would support timely execution.
Xu also appealed to host communities to cooperate with the company to ensure the safety of workers and construction equipment throughout the project period.