Road users traveling between Shintaku in Bassa Local Government Area and Anyigba in Dekina, Kogi State, are facing severe challenges. Originally built in the 1960s, this crucial road has deteriorated into a crime-prone zone due to its poor condition.
On April 14, 2017, then-Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, initiated a rehabilitation project for the road, named in honor of the late Lieutenant Colonel Muhammed Ali, son of the Etsu Bassa Nge Kingdom, who died fighting insurgents in northern Nigeria.
Shortly after the project began, reports indicated that 21 earth-moving machines were deployed to the site, but mysteriously, only two remained after a short time.
The contract, awarded to a Kano-based company, faced scrutiny over the company’s legitimacy, with concerns about its actual location.
Hon. Shuaib Imam, a former Bassa Local Government chairman, voiced his concerns, noting the hardships faced by locals. “Traveling to Gboloko through this road can take over two hours on a motorcycle. Those familiar with the road have learned to navigate its dangers, but it is a nightmare. The government must rehabilitate this road so that citizens can feel its presence,” he urged.
On February 3, 2022, the Federal Government re-awarded the rehabilitation contract to TEC Engineering Company, with a projected completion date of February 13, 2024. The contract was valued at ₦65.2 billion, and ₦1 billion was released to mobilize the contractor.
However, six months past the deadline, no significant progress has been made.
Initial efforts saw TEC Engineering move equipment to the site, only to later withdraw, stalling the project. The Shabba of Bassa Nge Kingdom, HRM Alhaji Yahaya Lerama, pleaded with the Federal Government for urgent intervention, pointing out that crossing the river from Ganaja village to Shintaku had become more expensive, with fees rising from ₦3,000 to ₦8,000 per vehicle.
Residents and motorists continue to lament the dire state of the road, with many calling for the contract to be revoked if the contractor does not return to work. A motorcyclist, Baba Dauda, expressed frustration, saying, “The road is terrible. Each day we travel on it, we need to take medication. In some areas, only one bike can pass at a time. A 10-minute journey now takes over an hour. Many vehicles and bikes have broken down, and the rains have worsened the situation.”
Federal Controller of Works in Kogi State, Engr. Olayinka Onogoye, confirmed these issues and cited multiple factors behind the delay. According to him, an expatriate working on the road was kidnapped for over three months, forcing a shutdown. He also pointed to the rainy season and design approval issues as contributing factors but assured the public that work would resume after the rainy season.
Despite several attempts, TEC Engineering did not respond to inquiries regarding the project’s abandonment.
