Kogi Roads Need Immediate Rehabilitation, Dangote, Mangal Must Be Fully Involved — Teejay Yusuf
By Our Reporter
The Kogi West Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Teejay Yusuf, has called on the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate major roads across Kogi State, warning that their deteriorating condition has become unacceptable and poses serious risks to motorists, commuters and economic activities.
Yusuf, in a statement on the state of road infrastructure, particularly identified the Kabba–Mopa–Isanlu, Kabba–Omuo and Abuja–Lokoja corridors as roads requiring immediate federal intervention.
He described the roads as critical economic lifelines for Kogi State and other Nigerians who depend on them for the movement of people, agricultural produce, goods and services.
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According to him, the continued deterioration of the roads has resulted in enormous hardship for road users, including vehicle damage, increased travel time and transportation costs, as well as heightened risks to the lives of motorists and commuters.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to embark on immediate rehabilitation of the affected roads while establishing a sustainable maintenance programme to prevent them from returning to their current deplorable condition.
Yusuf, however, argued that government could no longer rely solely on public funding for road maintenance, particularly in view of the economic challenges facing the country.
He consequently called for greater involvement of major commercial users of the roads, specifically Dangote Cement and Mangal Cement, noting that the extensive movement of heavy cement trucks operated by the companies places additional pressure on already vulnerable road infrastructure.
“Dangote and Mangal cannot continue to use these roads extensively for commercial purposes while leaving government and taxpayers to bear the entire cost of repairing the damage associated with heavy haulage,” he said.
The PDP candidate stressed that his position was not an attack on businesses or investments, but a demand for corporate responsibility commensurate with the benefits companies derive from public infrastructure.
“This is not an attack on business or investment. Yes, we welcome investment, but investment must come with responsibility,” Yusuf declared.
He called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to undertake an objective assessment of the impact of heavy haulage on roads across the state and engage the affected companies on a concrete programme for road rehabilitation and maintenance.
According to him, such a partnership would help reduce the burden on government while ensuring that companies whose commercial activities contribute significantly to road usage also participate in sustaining the infrastructure.
Yusuf emphasised that the Federal Government must fulfil its responsibility of providing safe and durable roads, while commercial operators must equally contribute to maintaining infrastructure that supports their businesses.
“The message is simple: The Federal Government must do its job. The companies must do their part. And our people must no longer be left to bear the cost,” he stated.
He further maintained that the people of Kogi State, particularly residents of Kogi West Senatorial District, deserved safe, durable and motorable roads that could support economic growth and improve the quality of life.
“Our roads are economic lifelines, not disposable infrastructure. The time for urgent action is now,” Yusuf said.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper, September 14, 2026
