By Victoria Okpanachi
Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, has clarified that there is no World Bank involvement in the Kabba–Iluke–Bunu Road project, stressing that the 38-kilometre road is 100 per cent a Kogi Government project.
Hon. Jones made the clarification in Lokoja on Monday, during a press conference, while reacting to reports linking the reconstruction of the road to the World Bank.
He described the claims as misleading and an attempt to distort the facts surrounding a project initiated by the government in response to years of demands by residents of Kabba/Bunu.
According to him, the World Bank does not fund projects through individuals, adding that its interventions are programmes negotiated with governments and implemented through grants, loans and, where applicable, counterpart funding from beneficiary states.
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He therefore questioned the basis for linking the Kabba–Iluke–Bunu Road project to the World Bank or attributing the initiative to the influence of an individual outside Kogi State.
The Commissioner stressed that the advertisement for the construction of the road was issued by the State Government through the Ministry of Works under an open and competitive bidding process.
He said the project was not conceived hurriedly, noting that the process leading to the reconstruction began about 12 months ago after the Government received complaints and demands from residents over the condition of the road.
According to him, the reconstruction of the road would bring relief to residents while improving movement and economic activities within the area.
Hon. Jones stressed that the people of Kabba/Bunu LGA, reject any attempt to politicise or hijack the credit for this life-changing intervention and urge those behind the malicious misinformation to desist from politicising a project aimed at improving the welfare of the people
He commended the governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for responding to what he described as a longstanding demand by the people of Kabba/Bunu.
Speaking on behalf of Kabba/Bunu LGA, the commissioner also expressed confidence in the continued support of the people of Kabba/Bunu for Governor Ododo administration and its political direction beyond 2027.
The Kabba–Iluke–Bunu Road is one of three major road projects advertised by the State Government in national newspapers on September 6, 2026.
