Residents and intercity commercial drivers and tricycle operators have appealed to Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello to address the deplorable state of Lokoja township roads.
Those who spoke to our reporter said most roads in Lokoja metropolis were in bad state with some portions becoming impassable.
“Lokoja roads are a nightmare as they have made us regular visitors to the mechanics. We thought that something would be done in the dry season, but unfortunately nothing, making us to prepare our mind for the worst this rainy season,” Jimoh Onimisi, a tricycle operator lamented.
He urged the state government to fix the bad portions before the rainy season arrived, saying, “It is a shame that the main township road in the state capital, from Nataco to Zango and other areas have been allowed to deteriorate to the present state.”
Also, Alhaji Tenimu Kabawa, another resident, pointed out that the dilapidated condition of Lokoja township roads is disheartening, adding that repeated appeals by the communities on government to fix the roads have not yielded any result.
“For the past eight years, the condition of the roads has not improved, especially during the rainy season. They have always been untarred, full of potholes and all efforts by community leaders to get government to fix them have been abortive.
“The deteriorating state of Lokoja township roads has made commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada and KeKe Napep, to hike fares which made it more difficult for the residents.
“Government has not shown concern about the state of Paparada Road and NATACO- Kabawa – Marine Roads. The only period some of the roads were patched was during election period. Once elections are over, the roads are left to worsen again.
“Maigari Palace Junction -Unguwan Kura – Sadauna Junction Road is a major road in Lokoja Local Government Area. The road is the only alternative routes in the state capital. All these roads are begging for rehabilitation,” he said.
He said there is urgent need for the government to fix the roads so as to boost the revenues of both the state and local governments and reduce the rate of accidents.
North Central Trust observed that all the township roads have been in deplorable condition with Ganaja-Ganaja village, which served the eastern part of the country and Zone 8-Crusher village section fast becoming travelers nightmare.
The Zone 8-Crusher community axis houses most of the federal agencies and plays host to the State House of Assembly and the Judiciary.
Motorists run into hitches immediately after the roundabout as the condition of the dual carriageway worsened from the point near the state headquarters of WAEC.
One of the dual ways had to be closed for repairs but the work has been abandoned for years. The closure put pressure on the remaining way hastening its deterioration.
An activist and public affairs analyst, Mr Abdul Miliki, said both the state and local government administrations must do more about the state infrastructure in the colonial capital.
“It’s a sign of failure on the part of the local and state government administrations. After receiving over N300 billion from different sources within the last five years, we expect massive infrastructural transformation not only in the state capital but across the state unfortunately nothing is happening,” he noted.
He said key road projects such as the New market road to Zone 8 and the Ganaja flyover initiated by the past government have all been abandoned.
Miliki also said the state and local governments are not taking advantage of the largest cement company in the state by partnering with it for their infrastructural needs.
Responding, the commissioner of Information and Communication, Mr Kinsley Fanwo, said the administration was doing all it could to provide infrastructure across the state.
“It is no more an issue of when they will be fixed as the Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency is already working on them,” he said.
“We are committed to improving the aesthetics of the town and our efforts are already yielding fruits,” he explained.
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