Senate has urged the Federal Government to include the Anyigba–Dekina–Shintaku road in Kogi East in the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund projects initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin, representing Kogi East, who emphasized the need to prioritize the road project, describing it as one of the most critical transportation routes in the zone.
Presenting the motion, Senator Isa Jibrin explained that the road in question serves as a vital link between communities in Kogi East, Kogi State Capital, Lokoja, and the federal capital, Abuja, as well as the Southeast and South-South geopolitical zones.
Senator Jibrin was concerned that the Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road has been in a deplorable state, with commuters now resorting to the longer Lokoja-Ajaokuta-Anyigba road.
He said in the 1980s when the road was motorable, commuters used to spend an average of 40 minutes on the road, but now spends over 4 hours due to the deplorable condition of the road.
According to him, the Federal Executive Council at its meeting held on Wednesday, 26 January 2022, approved the award of reconstructing the road, but the contract was recently revoked due to delays in execution by the contractor and has not yet been re-awarded.
He realized that the Federal Government’s innovative approach to infrastructure development through special fundings, such as the Sukuk bonds, which have successfully funded strategic road projects across Nigeria, is a credible and viable alternative funding mechanism for the Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road project.
Similarly in supporting the motion the minority leader of the Senate Abba Moro requested for inclusion of a road with similar gravity in Benue state in the reward for sustainable even development in every cranny of the country
The Senate therefore urged the Federal Ministry of Works to consider the use of a special purpose fund for the completion of the Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road.
In addition, it urged the Federal Ministry of Works to provide Toll gates at both ends of the road upon completion to generate revenues to defray the cost of the construction of the road and provide sufficient funds for the maintenance of the road thereafter.
The Senate Chief Weep, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Appropriation Committee suggested the inclusion of the Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road in the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund projects of President Bola Tinubu, which was unanimously accepted by all members present.
COV/Bashir
