By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has flagged-off construction work on the 38.5km Kabba–Olle-Bunu–Iluke-Bunu road, with a charge to contractors handling infrastructure projects across the state to strictly adhere to approved quality and specifications.
Ending decades of neglect for communities in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
The award of this decades abandoned road project, adds another significant milestone to the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, led administration’s effort at opening up rural roads and ensuring that the people at the grassroots enjoy more dividends of democracy.
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Speaking during the Flagoff ceremony on Thursday, the governor urged the contractor handling the project to strictly adhere to approved quality and specifications as well as ensure it’s timely completion.
He said for decades, the 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, and many of our sons and daughters living outside Kogi State could no longer find their way home to the villages along this road.
The Governor noted that not long ago, the land was ravaged by insecurity stressing that when he assumed office, he vowed that no part of Kogi State would be surrendered to criminals.
Towards this end, his administration he added, rebuilt it’s security architecture from the community up and stood shoulder to shoulder with the security agencies.
“Today, peace has returned to Bunu land. But security without development is incomplete. We came first to protect you; today we come to connect you.
“The Kabba–Olle-Bunu–Iluke-Bunu road which covers about 38.5 kilometres. Our people are farmers, and this road will carry their yams, cassava, cashew and grains to markets across Kogi State and beyond. It will cut travel time, reduce the cost of transport, open up the economy of Bunu land and put more money in the pockets of our hardworking people”.
“This road is also a bridge back home. To every son and daughter of Bunu land in Lagos, Abuja and beyond, I say: come home. Come home to visit your parents, to invest and to build. The road that kept you away is the road that will now bring you back”. Ododo said
“For decades, our people were told to wait. Promises came during elections and disappeared afterwards. We do not make promises for applause; we make commitments and we deliver them. Across Kogi State, we are linking villages to markets, remodelling primary healthcare centres and investing in education, because no community is too remote to feel the impact of this government”.
Governor Ododo used the forum to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support to Kogi State emphasinig that his courageous decisions to remove fuel subsidy and unify the foreign exchange market, which many doubted have now to speak for themselves.
According to him, these reforms have made more resources available to states across the federation just as he pointed out that without them, it would have been extremely difficult for any subnational government to fund a road like this. This road is a dividend of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I therefore urge the good people of Bunu land to continue to stand firmly with Mr President. A leader who takes tough decisions for the good of the nation deserves the support of his people. When you support President Tinubu, you support the projects that come to your doorstep.
The Governor also called on the people of Bunu land to take ownership of the project adding that, every Bunu man and every Bunu woman along this corridor was a supervisor of the project.
“Watch the work, protect the equipment and speak up when something is not right”. Governor Ododo said.
“To the contractor, I say this plainly: 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 warned
Earlier, the Project supervisor of the firm handling the project, Simon Xu, disclosed that the project has an 18-months completion period .
He then assured the State Government and people of Bunu land of the company’s readiness to deliver quality work.
