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By Maryam Abubakar Gulma in Ajaokuta.
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Tuesday officially flagged off the construction of the 12.5km Unosi–Odonto–Ogiri road project at Ogiri in Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
Speaking at the ceremony, the governor assured the people that the road will enhance connectivity with other towns and markets, fostering economic growth and prosperity in the region.
Ododo said the project, a collaboration between the Kogi State Government and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), will open up rural areas and link several cluster markets.
“This marks the beginning of the end of your transportation challenges,” the governor declared, adding that the opening of rural roads is a core priority of his administration. He disclosed that ongoing works include the construction of 125km of rural roads in Kogi East, 105km in Kogi Central, and 124km in Kogi West.
He urged the people to take ownership of the project to ensure its longevity, noting that it is “a project for the people, by the people.”
The Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government, Alhaji Haruna Ogido, described the project as “not just a road but a lifeline,” noting that it will connect 10 out of the 14 wards in the LGA and improve the people’s overall well-being.
He also commended the governor’s efforts in securing the area from kidnappers along the Ajaokuta–Okene corridor.
Hon. Sani Egidi Abdurrahim, Member representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, praised the governor for locating the free trade zone in Ajaokuta — the only such project in the North Central Zone.
He lamented that the road had appeared in the state’s annual budget for three decades without execution, leaving it in a state of neglect until now.
The National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed, said that upon completion, the community will be engaged in the road’s maintenance, with a token fee collected to ensure its sustainability.
He emphasized that the project will provide continuous access to markets, healthcare facilities, and agricultural product marketing.
The RAAMP boss expressed appreciation to the project’s development partners — the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Federal Project Monitoring Unit for their support.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
