Senate targets special funds for Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road in Kogi

The Senate says it will include Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road in Kogi-East Senatorial District under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund projects of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Sen. Isah Jibrin (APC- Kogi East) at plenary on Wednesday.

Jibrin, in his motion, said that this had become necessary because it links communities in Lokoja, Federal Capital Territory, South-East and South-South geo-political zones.

He expressed concern that the road had been in a deplorable state, with most motorists taking the longer Lokoja-Ajaokuta-Anyigba route.

The lawmaker said that the Federal Executive Council had, at its meeting held in January 2022, approved the award of the contract for the reconstruction of the road.

“The then Federal Ministry of Works and Housing awarded the contract to Tech Engineering Company Nigeria Limited on Feb. 3, 2022.

“But the contract was recently revoked due to delays in execution by the contractor and has not yet been re-awarded”, he said.

Jibrin said that the federal government’s innovative approach to infrastructure development, through special funding, such as Sukuk bonds, was a credible alternative funding mechanism for the road project.

Corroborating Jibrin’s submission, the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), suggested the inclusion of the road in the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund projects of the president.

The senate, thereafter, urged the Federal Ministry of Works to consider the use of a special purpose fund for the completion of the road.

It also urged the ministry to provide toll gates at both ends of the road upon completion to generate revenues.

This, the senate said, would help to defray the cost of the construction of the road and provide sufficient funds for its maintenance.