Date: 2014-07-31

Transportation can be defined as movement from one place/location to another, which could be by road, air, sea or rail. One’s journey can be judged as being comfortable or successful by the means of transportation as regards the vehicle and route through which one embarks on the journey. How safe a journey would be can be majorly determined by the condition of the road/route, because a rickety vehicle can get to its destination on the dot of appointment, if the road is smooth and  highly  motor able, while a brand new car may find it difficult and possibly get damaged before reaching its destination, if the route is rugged. Vehicular movement depends on good condition of the road.

Another sector therefore, where the incumbent administration has excelled in community micro-projects in Kwara State, is in transport. Here, roads and bridges are being constructed and drainages put in place to properly channel erosion to avoid road damages, at both state and local levels, in the best interest of the people. Life is indeed good here.

Before government’s intervention in the area of road construction in the rural areas, through the Kwara State Community and Social Development Project (KWCSDP), a lot of people have abandoned their sources (towns and villages) due to bad state of roads, as a result of which their vehicles got damaged or outright loss of lives. Such moribund projects were later taken over by weeds and erosion which may have cut the road into two, consequent upon which communities are cut off other communities. This occurrence must have affected the economy of such communities, as they may not be able to embark on their commercial, farming and cultural activities. The good news is that, with the intervention of the current administration, activities are back on our rural roads; there is free flow of vehicles without any fear, road obstructions, in whatever form. This administration deserves applause, because it is sensitive to the plights of the masses.

Transportation is an important factor in governance and public affairs. It is always of great concern to any government who has the interest of the people at heart. It is another means of communication and easy access to various locations, be it on business transactions, visits and other human endeavours.

That is why government has deemed it feet to create a Ministry in respect of transport, for the smooth running of government and the societal day to day activities. For instance at the Federal level, we have Federal Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Works and Transport in the State and Works Department at the localities. Should there be any laxity in this sector, there could be dire consequences in all facets of life, be it in a public or private sector.

It is against this backdrop that Government included the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads, in the scheme of Kwara State Community and Social Development Projects (KWCSDP), so as to make transportation easy for the people at the grass roots to give a boost to their cultural, social and economic activities. In view of this, the Kwara State Government has recently intervened in ten (10) rural communities, in the state. They are; Adanla, Owa­Kajola, Irabon, Atari, Obada, Gbaradogi, Ekan, Idofin-Odo Ashe, Gwanara and Ikotun in Ifelodun, Offa, Patigi, Oke-Ero, Baruteen and Oyun Local Government Areas respectively.

In the light of these, one could easily note that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed ­led administration is running the affairs of the state without any consideration for religion, ethnic or political affiliation whatsoever. This is what I call a true leader, none biased, much focused and one who has the interest of the entire citizenry at heart. Megida is a leader per excellence. May God bless his government.

This is not a matter of propaganda, sycophancy or giving an undeserved appraisal to the incumbent administration; the projects are there for public assessment.

In Adanla community, two (2) reinforced concrete box culverts with drainage system were constructed along Igbaja-Adanla road, ditto Owa-Kajola community. Government has constructed one cell reinforced concrete culvert at lIawure stream as well as grading and earthworks on Isanlu-lsin Owa-Kajola road of 18 kilometres. Asides these, the construction of two (2) single cell culverts have also been done at Owa-Kajola, courtesy of this administration.

Go to Irabon community, government has equally constructed a reinforced double cell box culvert with the filling of road surface and provision of block work drainage. Atari and Obada communities have also benefited from government intervention through KWCSDP. Atari community has enjoyed the construction of a small bridge with retaining walls and earthworks, across River Atari, which formerly made it impossible for free flow of traffic, from the community to Offa metropolis. At Obada, a block work drainage system with reinforced concrete culvert and the grading of Ayaba road has effectively taken place.

Kwara North is not exempted. At Gbaradogi community, government has constructed a reinforced concrete drainage, box culvert and filling of road surface on Patigi Gbaradogi river side road. Gwanara community even enjoyed more of the intervention as government has rehabilitated the bridges on Rivers Mura and Gbogbo. The community has also assisted in the construction of a small bridge over Dakusunaba River, all in Gwanara community. These have saved the communities from further natural disaster that had hitherto befallen them.

In Ekan community, there has been the construction of two (2) reinforced concrete box culverts at Obaji Comprehensive High School and Ekan Community Health Centre, in addition to the rehabilitation of Omi-Odo bridge of the community. Government has also extended this magnanimity to Idofin Odo-Ashe community, by constructing a double cell concrete box for the community. Ikotun community too will forever be grateful to Megida the kind hearted governor for ensuring the construction of a triple cell 900mm diameter ring culvert as well as the construction of reinforced concrete culvert in this community.

As a result of government intervention, the infrastructural facilities have given a boost to the morale and social status of the above mentioned communities. On the average 155 vehicles now ply the rehabilitated roads, on daily bases, unlike before where one could hardly sight 2 vehicles, be it private or public. We give kudos to the Megida, Governor Abdulfatah Funso Ahmed-led administration, for this kind gesture.

Another positive outcome of this intervention is the fact that it is time effective. There has been a reduction in time spent on traveling in and out of these communities-just in a matter of minutes-on the rehabilitated/constructed roads, as against the endless hours formally spent on the same journey. The infrastructure has also made staying back at the rural communities as comfortable as it competes with that of the urban settlement, thereby discouraging rural urban transit. More importantly it is cost effective, as it has cut down drastically on the cost of transportation. The most important aspect is that the project has boosted the socio-economic activities of the people in these areas.

At this juncture, I wish to confirm to my readers and the general public that, all the projects are completed and functioning effectively. They are all in use at present, by the communities.

On a final note, the people themselves confessed that hardly did they felt the impact of government as this at the grass roots, not until the arrival of this God sent administration, to alleviate poverty from the masses and better the lives of the people, at the rural level.

The public should please note that this government intervention is demand driven. It is what was demanded by these communities that government has given to them, in the order of priority/choice. Government empowered the communities to implement the projects, with the application of Community Driven Development (COD). Communities are allowed to handle their projects with proper monitoring and thorough supervision by the Government established State Agency, to ensure compliance. There is still room for whoever wishes to benefit from this intervention, without any fear of intimidation or molestation whatsoever from any quarter. Just ask and it shall be given unto you.

Demola Olarewaju PO(IEC&T) KWCSDA, Ilorin.