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| New gravel road connects rural farms to markets. |
Kogi State is making big changes to its roads and land. The state government is working with global groups to stop erosion and help farmers. These projects aim to fix roads and keep land safe from damage.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo leads these efforts. His government works with the World Bank and other partners. They want to improve life for people in Kogi State .
One key project is the Agro-Climastic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL). It focuses on erosion control in three areas. These are Etahi in Okene, Olubiojo in Ankpa, and Omigbo in Kabba. The project cost N29.9 billion. It aims to fix land damaged by erosion .
Another major effort is the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). This project builds rural roads. It has started work on over 200 kilometres of roads. These roads connect farming areas to markets. In October 2024, Governor Ododo started building 65 kilometres of rural roads. These roads are in Lokoja, Adavi, and Okehi local government areas .
The governor says these roads are vital for the economy. They help farmers reach markets to sell their goods. This boosts incomes and reduces poverty. Better roads also mean lower transport costs for farmers .
These projects also create jobs. Data shows over 5,000 young people have work from these projects. They work on road construction and erosion control sites. One worker, Benjamin Oguche, shared that he learned new skills on the job. He can now use machinery and lay asphalt .
Kogi State faces traffic problems too. A study looked at traffic delays in Lokoja. It found that motorcycles and tricycles make up 50.8% of traffic. About 7.1% of workers spend over 40 minutes daily in traffic. This causes stress and late arrivals to work .
The study also found a big difference in traffic volumes on some routes. For example, Ganaja-Barracks and Natako-Ganaja routes have significant traffic differences. The same is true for Barracks-Ganaja and Ntako-Ganaja routes .
Lokoja has three types of roads. These are federal highways, state roads, and local government roads. Many state roads are narrow and poorly maintained. This forces drivers to use federal highways. It causes traffic jams and accidents .
The state government had a traffic agency called KOTRAMA. But a court in Lokoja recently called it illegal. The court said it broke federal road safety laws. The agency had been in conflicts with drivers over its actions .
Other places use smart tech for traffic management. For example, Batumi in Georgia installed smart traffic lights. These lights use data and artificial intelligence to ease traffic. They adjust signal times based on vehicle numbers. This project cost $68,000 and was supported by international partners .
Ghaziabad in India is also using an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS). It uses cameras to set traffic light times automatically. It also issues fines to drivers who break rules. This system helps manage traffic and maintain law and order .
Kogi's projects include more than just roads. ACReSAL plans to plant trees on 10,000 hectares of land. It will also provide community loans worth over three billion naira. These steps aim to protect the environment and help farming .
The state government says it is committed to development. It uses international partnerships to bring progress. By focusing on roads and land care, it hopes to build a better future for its people .
Kogi State shows how partnerships can drive change. With support from global groups, it is fixing infrastructure problems. These efforts may serve as a model for other states in Nigeria.