Kogi turns to road projects to unlock commerce and farming

“It has been a prayer by our forefathers for this road to be constructed which many of them are not able to witness it,” an elated Amodu Joseph Silva, a resident in Dekina local government area, told journalists about the ongoing Iyale-Ogane-Enugu road project constructed by the administration of Usman Ododo with the help of the federal government.

For decades, farmers in parts of Kogi struggled to get crops to market because of impassable roads. The Ododo administration is working to open rural roads that will reduce post-harvest losses, improve security, attract commerce and connect isolated communities. 

Kogi is one of Nigeria’s largest agricultural states, yet many farming communities remain isolated by poor transport infrastructure. The north-central state is known for producing cashew nuts, cassava, and yam. Experts say Nigeria loses between 30 percent and 50 percent of its total annual agricultural output to post-harvest waste.

The losses estimated at approximately ₦3.5 trillion annually are majorly driven by bad roads, poor storage, inefficient transportation, and limited processing capacity.

The deterioration of the roads which has aided insecurity in some parts of the state has not allowed Kogi to attain its desired goal in agricultural production.

While hosting a delegation of presidential media aides in the state recently who were on a “Renewed Hope” tour, Kogi officials said good roads would help farmers reach markets, improve security and stimulate economic activity in the state and country.

Timothy Ojoma, Kogi information commissioner, told the presidential media team and journalists that Ogane-Enugu, located in the eastern part of the state, used to be a flashpoint but the construction of the roads has made it safer.

“In the past, but as you can see, we are very, very comfortable. We are secured here. You obviously can attest to that,” Ojoma said.

“Without roads, obviously, whatever they produce will go spoiled and of course, it won’t be of any benefit to the people that are farming and the people that need the crops. So that’s why we are here. You can see this road extends from Iyale to Ogane-Enugu in the first instance.”

Sunday Dare, special adviser to the president on media and public communications, said the federal government has given approval for the rehabilitation of three roads linking Kogi to Kwara state.

“So the importance of roads, whether inner roads or major federal roads, to development is massive. We saw a lot of trucks, trailers. We saw two cement factories, as we were coming,” Dare said.

“Without those roads, it would be almost impossible for commerce to thrive.”

Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi information commissioner, added: FEC has approved that the entire stretch be completed. It’s the Kabba-Egbe-Omu-Aran-Ilorin stretch. Contractors have since resumed work.”

Speaking more on road projects in the state, Adedoyin Bolaji, traditional ruler in Kogi west, said he and his people appreciate the Egbe Mekun township road constructed by the Ododo administration.

“Also we want to thank Mr Governor for paying pensioners as at when due even as when it was not due, when even it was not month end pensioneers have received their payment. Not only that, this governor is attending to our security,” the traditional ruler said.

By prioritising agriculture, Temitope Ajayi, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, said the Ododo administration is bringing development closer to the people of Kogi.

“It also speaks to the fact that the states, the sub-national governments across the country are able to do more now in terms of funding social services, funding critical infrastructure, building roads, building schools, hospitals, because of the reforms that President Tinubu started three years ago,” Ajayi said.

For Silva, the road projects are more than infrastructure. It is a link between isolated farms and economic opportunity as well as a chance for his community to build a better future.