Kwara and Kogi Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazak and Ahmed Ododo have appealed for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the dualisation of the deteriorating Ilorin-Lojoja road.
The Governors emphasised that the President’s intervention is crucial, as the road, which extends to Makurdi, Gboko and the Republic of Benin, is vital not only for boosting the economy but also for the development of Nigeria’s solid mineral and agricultural sectors.
They said the intervention of the President becomes imperative considering that the road that also stretches to Markurdi, Gboko up to the Republic of Benin is vital not only for boosting the economy but also for the development of Nigeria’s solid mineral and agricultural sectors.
The Governors spoke on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Works, David Umahi in his Abuja office.
Abdulrazak, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum commended President Tinubu for the interventions on several roads across the country while expressing hope that the funds would be made available to make dualization of the Ilorin-Lokoja road would be a reality.
“The primary purpose of this visit is to encourage the Federal Government to look into the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization of the Federal Highway. And it’s a very major important road, which is not just an economic road, it is a belt of solid minerals in Nigeria and agricultural belt. So that road will open up the entire region for business, for commerce and agriculture”, he was quoted as saying.
The Minister assured the Governors that the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope administration of President Tinubu is committed to addressing the accumulated road infrastructural needs of the country as that would contribute progressively to the reinvigoration of the national and sub-national economies.
In a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, the Minister noted that the President is giving comprehensive attention to federal roads nationwide.
Pointing out that the commitment is evident through the numerous road projects underway across the country, the Minister was quoted as saying, “In all honesty, the roads are very terrible.
“But if you look at what we had when I took over in the month of August and what we are doing now, you will see a lot of commitment by Mr President, not just on that stretch, but all over the country.
“That’s why he directed that I must visit all the States and all the projects”.
While he noted that though the project was not contemplated by the 2024 budget, Umahi assured the Governors that the Ministry would look at the funding mechanism to kick-start the project once approved by Mr President.
“And so, for coming and you had discussed this project with Mr President, he does not joke with the welfare of Nigerians. He’s one person that is infrastructure committed right from when he was Governor.
“Even on his own personal businesses, you’ll see the development of infrastructure. So, he’s very much interested. He understands that the road is everything in this country. It will improve security, improve agriculture, improve commerce and so on and so forth”, Umahi said.
