Idah Residents Petition Gov Ododo Over Abandoned Road Project

Residents of Idah, the headquarters of Idah Local Government Area in Kogi State, have petitioned Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo over the deteriorating condition of township roads, alleging abandonment of an ongoing construction project.

The petition, submitted by the Ane-Igala Socio Cultural Development Association (AISCDA) and signed by its leader, Chief Akwu Umar Goodman, accused the contractor handling the project of abandoning the site and failing to deliver on agreed standards.

According to the group, the road project, which was inaugurated in July last year, has seen little or no progress nearly a year after commencement, despite the resources committed to it. The residents described the situation as unacceptable, noting that it has subjected the community to hardship and increased safety risks.

They further alleged that some engineers and technical officers assigned to supervise the project may have compromised quality standards and deviated from approved specifications.

“This situation is not only disappointing but also a disservice to the good people of Idah and Kogi State at large,” the petition read. “We can no longer stand by and watch this level of inefficiency and apparent neglect.”

The group called on the state government to either compel the contractor to immediately resume work or terminate the contract and re-award it to a more competent firm with a proven track record.

In addition, the residents demanded the deployment of an independent team of engineers to assess the current state of the project and verify claims of substandard execution.

They also urged the Deputy Governor, Salifu Joel Oyibo, an indigene of the area, to take a more active role in supervising the project to ensure timely and quality completion.

Highlighting the cultural significance of Idah as the seat of the Ata Igala, the petitioners stressed that infrastructure projects in the area should reflect dignity, quality, and efficiency.

The residents expressed confidence in Governor Ododo’s leadership and called for urgent intervention to address the situation.