The Kishi-Kiama Road, a highway which connected several agrarian communities in both Kwara and Oyo States, still remains a death trap.
Although the administration of former President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had approved N27billion for its construction nine months ago, the road still lies in ruins.
The road, which has been in poor condition for decades, is constantly a source of frustration for commuters, particularly traders and farmers who use the route to conduct food business and carry agricultural goods from rural to urban regions.
In a statement issued in 2022 by the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, the concerned residents were informed of the government’s intention for the road.
The statement read, “The Federal Ministry of Works has informed us that we should stop work on that road because they have got new approval from the Federal Government and the contract for the road has been reissued at N27billion.
“The Kishi-Kaiama road is very important for the whole of the country because of the volume of trade in farm produce,” Ajakaye had said in the statement which was released to the public in October 2022.
However, in a documentary aired by Channels TV on Monday, the residents were seen lamenting the poor state of the road.
A resident, identified as Muhammad Abdulkareem said the bad situation of the road had affected the farming business of the dwellers of the state.
He said, “The road has been there for decades. We grew up and met the road in a very bad shape. Government comes, government goes. But the road has been there for decades without any attention. We have been complaining as the road is affecting the communities badly in terms of economic activities. 99% of these communities are farmers and without good roads, there is nothing we can do.”
Another resident, Jumoke Oketiola pleaded with the government to listen to the wailing of the residents and fix the road.
She said, “This Kaima is a big town for people to make money but the road is bad. So I beg the government to help us in this road.”
The traditional head of the community, Muazu Omar appealed to the Nigerian government to set up a special committee and fund to fasten the construction of the highway.
