Senate urges funding of long-abandoned Anyigba–Dekina–Shintaku road with ‘Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund’

In a motion sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho representing Kogi East Senatorial District, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution that the long abandoned Anyigba-Dekina-Shintaku road be funded with the ‘Tinubu Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.’

Reading the general principles of the motion, the lawmaker highlighted that the Anyigba–Dekina–Shintaku road is a federal route and serves as a crucial transportation link connecting communities in Kogi East to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, Abuja, as well as the Southeast and South-South regions.

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He described the condition of the road as worrisome even as strategic as the road is, stressing that if reconstructed, the road would serve as a connecting link with several states down the South East and South South through Lokoja–Ajaokuta–Anyigba route.

According to Senator Isah, the road was previously motorable the 1980s, and at that time, the journey took about 40 minutes, but due to its current state, it now takes more than four hours.

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The lawmaker further noted that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its meeting on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, had approved the reconstruction of the road. The then Federal Ministry of Works and Housing awarded the contract to Tech Engineering Company Nigeria Limited on February 3, 2022. However, the contract was later revoked due to delays in execution and has yet to be re-awarded.

Senator Jibrin emphasized that the Federal Government’s innovative financing mechanisms—such as Sukuk bonds—have proven effective in funding key infrastructure projects nationwide and could serve as a viable model for completing the Anyigba–Dekina–Shintaku road.

Consequently, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Works to consider utilizing a special-purpose fund for the road’s completion.

In addition, the Senate called on the Ministry to install toll gates at both ends of the road after completion to generate revenue for recovering construction costs and ensuring adequate maintenance.

The Senate Chief Whip, who also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, proposed the inclusion of the Anyigba–Dekina–Shintaku road in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund projects — a suggestion that was unanimously adopted by all members present.

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