IDAH–IBAJI ROAD: GOVERNOR ODODO DESERVES APPLAUSE, BUT THE IDAH–AJEGWU ROAD MUST NOT BE LEFT BEHIND
By: Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon
The flag-off of the construction of the 37-kilometre Idah–Ibaji Road by the Kogi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, is a commendable development that deserves the applause and appreciation of the people of Kogi State, particularly the people of Idah and Ibaji Local Government Areas.
For a people who have endured years of infrastructural challenges, the commencement of this important road project represents more than the construction of another stretch of asphalt. It represents hope, renewed possibilities and the prospect of economic and social transformation for communities that have long yearned for meaningful government intervention.
Ibaji, with its enormous agricultural potential and strategic importance to the economic development of Kogi State, deserves infrastructure that can adequately support its growth. A functional road network will ease the transportation of agricultural produce, reduce the hardship experienced by commuters, improve access to healthcare and educational facilities, encourage commercial activities and ultimately enhance the living conditions of the people.
In this regard, Governor Ododo deserves commendation for taking a bold step towards addressing one of the longstanding infrastructural challenges confronting the area. The people must acknowledge and appreciate positive government interventions, irrespective of political affiliations or differences.
However, while celebrating this important milestone, it is equally necessary to draw the attention of the state government to an issue that requires urgent consideration if the new road is to deliver its full benefits.
THE IDAH–AJEGWU ROAD: AN IMPORTANT LINK THAT MUST NOT BE IGNORED
It is difficult to celebrate the construction of the Idah–Ibaji Road without expressing serious concern over the deplorable condition of the Idah–Ajegwu Road.
The Idah–Ajegwu Road is an important connecting route, and its present condition poses a significant challenge to the movement of people, goods and services. Its deteriorating state raises a fundamental question: What meaningful impact will the new Idah–Ibaji Road make if the connecting road infrastructure remains in a deplorable condition?
Road infrastructure should not be approached as isolated projects without adequate consideration for the wider transportation network. The real value of a road is measured not merely by its construction but by its ability to provide seamless connectivity, facilitate economic activities and improve the overall mobility of the people.
A newly constructed road cannot be said to have achieved its desired purpose if commuters must still contend with terrible road conditions before accessing it or proceeding to their destinations.
The Idah–Ajegwu Road is therefore not a peripheral concern. It is an essential component of the broader road network required to maximise the benefits of the Idah–Ibaji project.
We consequently appeal to Governor Ododo to give urgent attention to the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the 35km Idah–Ajegwu Road. Indeed, the government should consider both projects as complementary infrastructure investments rather than unrelated undertakings.
The people are not asking for the impossible. They are simply appealing for a coordinated approach to road development that will ensure that the benefits of one project are not undermined by the neglect of another.
GOVERNMENT IS A CONTINUUM: DO NOT ABANDON THE RURAL ROADS OF THE IBRAHIM IDRIS ERA
Beyond the immediate concerns surrounding the Idah–Ibaji and Idah–Ajegwu roads, there is another important issue that deserves the attention of the present administration: the need to preserve and rehabilitate the rural roads constructed during the administration of former Governor Ibrahim Idris.
During the Ibrahim Idris administration, several rural roads were constructed to connect communities, open up rural settlements and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and other economic activities. Few examples of these roads are Egume-Ogodu-Ofugo, Ankpa-Ogodo-Acharane-Egane etc. These roads represented important public investments and, for the communities they served, were significant instruments of development.
Unfortunately, the passage of time, coupled with inadequate maintenance, has left some of these roads in deplorable conditions. Their deterioration has continued to impose hardship on rural dwellers, particularly farmers, traders, students, healthcare workers and other residents who depend on them for their daily activities.
It is against this background that we appeal to the Ododo administration not to allow these roads to disappear from the state’s development priorities.
Government is a continuum. A succeeding administration should not only initiate new projects but must also demonstrate the political will and administrative commitment to maintain, rehabilitate and improve upon existing infrastructure inherited from previous governments.
Public infrastructure does not belong to the administration that constructed it. It belongs to the people. Consequently, the maintenance of such infrastructure should not be influenced by the political identity of the government that initiated it.
The Ibrahim Idris administration may have left office, but the rural roads constructed during its tenure remain public assets. They should be preserved for the benefit of present and future generations.
A responsible government should understand that the rehabilitation of an existing road can sometimes be just as important as the construction of a new one. Indeed, allowing valuable infrastructure to deteriorate through neglect is an avoidable waste of public resources.
A CALL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE RURAL ROAD DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
The concerns raised here are not intended to diminish the achievements of the present administration or undermine the importance of the Idah–Ibaji Road project. Rather, they are constructive suggestions aimed at ensuring that the government’s infrastructural interventions produce the greatest possible benefits for the people.
Governor Ododo has an opportunity to make a lasting difference by adopting a comprehensive approach to road development in the area.
Such an approach should prioritise:
1. The timely and quality completion of the 37-kilometre Idah–Ibaji Road.
2. The urgent rehabilitation or reconstruction of the Idah–Ajegwu Road to ensure effective connectivity.
3. The identification and rehabilitation of rural roads constructed during the Ibrahim Idris administration that have deteriorated over the years.
4. The establishment of a sustainable road maintenance programme to prevent newly constructed and rehabilitated roads from falling into disrepair.
These interventions will not only improve transportation but also strengthen agricultural production, promote rural commerce, reduce the cost of doing business and enhance the general welfare of the people.
CONCLUSION: LET THE PEOPLE REMEMBER THE ODODO ADMINISTRATION FOR CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
The flag-off of the Idah–Ibaji Road is a positive statement of intent by the Ododo administration, and the people deserve to see the project successfully completed and delivered to the highest possible standard.
However, infrastructural development should be holistic. A road network is only as effective as the connections it provides. The Idah–Ajegwu Road must not be forgotten, and the rural roads constructed during the Ibrahim Idris administration must not be abandoned to decay.
Our appeal to Governor Usman Ododo is simple: Build new roads, rehabilitate neglected ones and maintain the infrastructure already in existence.
The people of Idah, Ibaji and other rural communities are not merely interested in the number of projects flagged off. They want roads that work, roads that connect their communities, roads that support their businesses and roads that make everyday life easier.
Ultimately, the true measure of leadership is not just the number of projects initiated but the enduring positive impact of those projects on the lives of the people.
Governor Ododo has taken a commendable step with the Idah–Ibaji Road. Let him go further by addressing the Idah–Ajegwu Road and preserving the rural road infrastructure inherited from previous administrations.
The people do not need roads for political celebration alone; they need roads for economic survival, social integration and sustainable development.
That is the kind of legacy that transcends political administrations and earns the enduring gratitude of the people.
Long Live Kogi State,
10th November, 2026.
