Kogi: Bassa-Nge appeals for urgent intervention, rehabilitation of Shintaku–Oguma road

The people of Bassa-Nge have appealed to Kogi State Government to quickly intervene and rehabilitate Shintaku-Oguma road in Kogi East, saying its age long deplorable condition has caused untold insecurity as criminals have taken over the route.

Speaking under the aegis of Bassa-Nge Community Development Network, they called on the Federal Government to intervene, given the critical condition of the road and its importance to transporting food stuff to markets in other towns and Lokoja, the State capital.

In an open letter addressed to His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo—the Executive Governor of Kogi State,
Senator Jibril Isah Echocho of Kogi East, and Rt. Hon. Paul Gowon representing Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, a copy of which was made available to journalists, they said the unimaginable condition of the road network has reduced the quality of Bassa-Nge stock to second class citizens.

They lamented their complete inaccessibility to other surrounding communities, fearing that the next heavy rain downpour would have cut off the area from the rest of the world.

According to the letter signed by Joseph Emmanuel Yaba, President of the Bassa-Nge Community Development Network, the Shintaku–Oguma Road serves as a critical economic and social link connecting Bassa Local Government Area to the rest of the state.

However, years of neglect have rendered the road nearly impassable, particularly during the rainy season.

The group further spelt out several consequences of the road’s deterioration, including, “delays in accessing healthcare, especially for pregnant women and the sick; economic losses for farmers unable to transport their produce; rising transportation costs and damaged vehicles forcing drivers off the route; increased insecurity due to poor accessibility and isolation.

While acknowledging the efforts of the current administration in addressing inherited infrastructural challenges, the Bassa-Nge leaders emphasized that the Shintaku–Oguma Road has become a symbol of long-standing neglect that must no longer be ignored.

“We appeal to you, in the spirit of equity and good governance, to prioritize the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Shintaku–Oguma Road,” the letter reads. “The time has come for Bassa-Nge people to feel the impact of governance and inclusion in developmental strides.”

The group expressed confidence in the ability of the addressed leaders to respond with decisive action, stating that history would remember them as the ones who “reconnected Bassa and renewed the hope of our people with shared prosperity and progress.”

The call comes amid rising concern across various parts of Kogi State about deteriorating infrastructure and its effects on economic development and quality of life.