Kogi Govt Denies World Bank Funding For Kabba-Olle-Iluke Road

LOKOJA — The Kogi State Government has dismissed reports that the 38-kilometre Kabba-Olle-Iluke-Bunu Road is being financed by the World Bank, describing the claim as misleading and an attempt to distort the facts surrounding the project.

The State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, made the clarification while speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Monday.

Jones said the road project was being financed entirely by the Kogi State Government and had no connection with the World Bank.

According to him, World Bank interventions are generally programmes involving the Federal Government and the international financial institution, implemented through grants or loans and, where applicable, counterpart funding from beneficiary states.

He questioned the basis for linking the Kabba-Olle-Iluke-Bunu Road to the World Bank or attributing the project to the influence of an individual outside the state.

The commissioner said some individuals had recently attempted to mislead the public by changing their claims concerning the project after the state government advertised the road for construction.

He said, “It is unfortunate that in recent weeks, some mischief makers, out of ignorance or deliberate intent, have sought to twist facts and mislead the public.

“First, they claimed the road is a World Bank project. But following the State Government’s advertisement, they have now changed their narrative, claiming that the advertisement was hurriedly placed because the same individual outside the State was planning to have the World Bank construct the road.”

Jones stressed that the World Bank does not deal with individuals, adding that the advertisement for the construction of the road was issued by the Kogi State Government through the Ministry of Works under an open and competitive bidding process.

He explained that the project followed years of demands by residents of Kabba/Bunu for the reconstruction of the road.

According to him, the state government began the process about 12 months ago after receiving complaints from residents and subsequently commissioned a comprehensive survey, engineering design and technical assessment of the road.

“Upon receiving the cry of the people, the State Government directed a comprehensive survey and engineering design of the road. After the technical assessment and professional recommendation, the State Government decided to go for the total reconstruction of the road to bring lasting relief to the people,” he said.

The commissioner commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for responding to the longstanding demand of residents of Kabba/Bunu, saying the project demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and economic opportunities in the area.

He also urged those behind what he described as malicious claims to stop politicising the project, stressing that the road was designed to improve the welfare and economic prospects of the people.

“It is better to commend the State Government for constructing this road rather than playing politics with the welfare of our people,” Jones said.

He further expressed confidence in the continued support of the people of Kabba/Bunu for the Ododo administration and its political direction beyond 2027.

The Kabba-Olle-Iluke-Bunu Road is among three major road projects advertised by the Kogi State Government in national newspapers on September 6, 2026, with eligible and qualified contractors invited to participate in the competitive procurement process.

The other projects are the Idah-Onyedega Road in Ibaji Local Government Area and the Odenyi-Oguma-Sheria Road in Bassa Local Government Area.