By Thompson Yamput
The Kogi House of Assembly on Wednesday appealed to Gov. Usman Ododo to urgently rehabilitate Idah-Onyedega road in Ibaji Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Lokoja that the lawmakers made the appeal after listening to a motion raised by the member Representing Ibaji Constituency, Hon. Comfort Ojoma, during plenary on Wednesday
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Umar Yusuf, said that the Idah-Onyedega road gets flooded annually, making things difficult for motorists and the people of the area.
He said that the contributions of Ibaji Local Government to national economy can not be over emphasised.
The speaker directed the Clerk of the house to convey the plea and resolution of the house to the Executive arm of Government for immediate intervention and rehabilitation of the road.
Ojoma had in a matter of urgent public importance, moved a motion and lamented that the Idah-Onyedega road had become a death trap.
Ojoma explained that one of the devastating consequences of the flooding of Rivers Niger and Benue in 2012 and 2022 was the destruction of Idah —Onyedega Road.
” It is on record that during those flooding disaster, many areas of the state were ravaged, with tens of thousands of our people rendered homeless, properties, farmlands and infrastructure hugely destroyed.
“Our experiences in Ibaji were not better. We suffered the highest from the overflowing rivers Niger and Benue. The entire Local Government was submerged.
“The House should further note that the aftermath of the last two deluges, particularly as they affect access to Onyedega, the Local Government Headquarters and other villages within Ibaji, was so devastating.
“Again, the house should take cognisance of the fact that the said road is badly damaged, cut off at interval in most cases into two.
“Though the state government intervened with relief materials and utilitarian amenities, rehabilitation of a number of infrastructures in support of the LGA, what is required now is to reconstruct Idah-Onyedega Road and other access roads linking other communities within and outside the Local Government Area, ” she said.
She urged the state government to map out an engineering work and redesign as well as construct the road with bridges where necessary as a lasting solution.
In support of the motion, the members representing Dekina/Okura and Ajaokuta State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Enema Paul and Hon. Abu Onoru-Oiza respectively, described the situation in Ibaji Local Government as pathetic.
According to them, Ibaji Local Government can not be neglected considering its immense contribution to the economic growth of Kogi and Nigeria as a whole. NAN