Why Governor Ododo Needs to Revisit Wada’s Urban Renewal Vision for Kogi’s Major Towns

Kabba, Okene, Idah, Ankpa: From township roads to modern urban centres

By Democracy Newsline Feature Desk

At a time when cities and major towns are increasingly becoming the engines of economic growth, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo may need to take a fresh look at an ambitious urban-renewal vision conceived during the administration of former Governor Idris Wada — a programme aimed at transforming some of Kogi State’s major towns into modern urban centres with improved roads, recreational facilities, sporting infrastructure and other essential public amenities.

The vision placed particular emphasis on Kabba, Okene, Idah and Ankpa, four important urban settlements representing the Western, Central and Eastern senatorial districts of the state.

The idea was bigger than merely constructing roads.

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It was about changing the physical character of the towns, improving movement within them, creating recreational spaces, upgrading public facilities and ultimately positioning them to support commerce, investment, tourism and improved quality of life.

More than a decade later, some aspects of that vision have continued through successive administrations, while others appear to require renewed attention.

Former Governor Wada himself said in 2015 that his administration had constructed and rehabilitated more than 700 kilometres of roads, including township roads in Lokoja and Idah, among other projects.

Kogi State government records also show that the dualisation of Ankpa Township Road, covering phases I and II and about 6.5 kilometres, was incorporated into the state’s infrastructure plans.

These developments suggest that the idea of giving Kogi’s major towns stronger urban infrastructure has not disappeared. Rather, it presents an opportunity for the present administration to review what has been achieved, identify the gaps and develop a comprehensive second phase.

ANKPA AND IDAH: THE TRANSFORMATION IS VISIBLE

Among the four towns, Ankpa and Idah provide examples of how township-road investment can begin to change the character of an urban centre.

Ankpa has benefited from the dualisation of its township roads, a project that was formally captured in state budget documents as the construction and dualisation of Ankpa Township Road, Phases I and II.

The significance of such a project goes beyond aesthetics.

Dual carriageways can improve traffic circulation, reduce pressure on major roads, create better access to commercial areas and provide the foundation for orderly urban development when accompanied by proper drainage, street lighting, pedestrian facilities and enforcement of planning regulations.

Idah has also witnessed substantial road intervention. Former Governor Wada specifically identified Idah township road among the roads constructed or rehabilitated during his administration.

The challenge now is how to move from individual road projects to a comprehensive urban-development strategy.

OKENE: FROM ROAD REHABILITATION TO A COMPLETE URBAN PACKAGE

Okene presents a different situation.

While the town may not have witnessed the same scale of township-road dualisation as Ankpa, available state records show significant investment in its internal road network.

The Kogi State Ministry of Works and Housing currently lists the construction of 14.3 kilometres of Okene Township Roads among its projects.

Previous government records also list numerous Okene township roads, including Agassa–Irucheba, Ozuwaya–Idozuni, Idozumi–Idoji, Ahache–Enyinare, Ateba–Idozumi, Obehira–Makaranta and other routes.

The scale of road intervention provides an opportunity for the state government to take the next step.

Instead of viewing road construction as an end in itself, Okene could be developed as a coordinated urban centre, with attention to drainage, street lighting, parking, waste management, recreation, traffic management, markets and public spaces.

In other words, the next phase should be about urban renewal, not roads alone.

KABBA: THE TOWN THAT NEEDS A NEW URBAN BLUEPRINT

For Kabba, the argument for renewed urban planning is particularly compelling.

As a historic commercial and administrative centre in Kogi West, Kabba has expanded considerably over the years. Its population growth and increasing commercial activity have placed additional pressure on existing infrastructure.

State records already show several interventions in Kabba township roads over successive administrations, while the present administration has continued to invest in the town’s road infrastructure. The state government currently lists the construction of 10 kilometres of Kabba Township Road among its projects.

More recently, the state government announced the Kabba–Olle–Iluke–Bunu road project following engineering and technical assessments.

These interventions could provide the foundation for a broader Kabba urban-renewal programme.

What is required now is a master plan that connects the various road projects with drainage, recreation, markets, transportation, environmental sanitation, street lighting, green spaces and public facilities.

The objective should be to make Kabba not merely a town with good roads, but a well-planned modern urban centre.

WHERE ARE THE RECREATION CENTRES?

One important component of the original urban-renewal vision deserves renewed attention: recreational infrastructure.

Modern cities are not defined only by roads and buildings.

They require parks, recreation centres, sports facilities, children’s playgrounds, public squares and other spaces where residents can relax, exercise and interact.

Kabba, Okene, Idah and Ankpa have populations comprising young people, families, students, traders, professionals and elderly residents.

A serious urban-renewal programme should therefore include properly planned recreational centres and sporting facilities.

Township stadiums could become economic assets

The proposed upgrading of township stadiums should also be revisited.

A modern township stadium does not have to be a massive national sporting complex.

A well-designed facility with a standard football pitch, athletics track, indoor sports facilities, changing rooms, floodlights, seating, training areas and commercial spaces could serve schools, local clubs, youth organisations and community events.

Such facilities can also create opportunities for sports development and small businesses.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: URBAN RENEWAL AS ECONOMIC POLICY

Governor Ododo could therefore consider turning urban renewal into an economic-development strategy.

A properly planned city attracts businesses.

Good roads make transportation easier.

Functional drainage reduces flooding.

Streetlights improve night-time economic activity and public safety.

Modern markets support commerce.

Recreation facilities improve quality of life.

Proper town planning creates room for housing and investment.

These components are interconnected.

That is why the proposed revival of the urban-renewal vision should not be treated as a cosmetic exercise.

It should be regarded as a long-term investment in the economic future of Kogi State.

A FOUR-CITY URBAN RENEWAL MODEL

One possible approach would be for the Ododo administration to formally review the development status of Kabba, Okene, Idah and Ankpa, identifying what has been completed, what remains outstanding and what new infrastructure each town requires.

Rather than applying exactly the same template to the four towns, the government could develop individual urban-renewal plans based on their economic and geographical characteristics.

Kabba could be positioned around commerce, education, tourism and its historic significance.

Okene could receive an urban plan reflecting its commercial importance, population density and strategic location along major transportation corridors.

Idah could build on its historical, cultural and riverine significance, while strengthening its commercial and tourism potential.

Ankpa could consolidate its road infrastructure and develop complementary markets, recreation and public facilities.

WHAT ODODO CAN DO

Governor Ododo does not necessarily have to start from scratch.

A comprehensive audit of existing infrastructure could provide the starting point.

The state could establish an Urban Renewal Development Programme with a clear master plan, defined phases, estimated costs and implementation timelines for the four towns.

The programme could include:

• dualisation and rehabilitation of strategic township roads;
• modern drainage and storm-water management;
• street lighting;
• pedestrian walkways;
• recreation parks;
• modern township stadiums;
• upgraded markets;
• waste-management infrastructure;
• public transportation terminals;
• beautification and green areas;
• traffic management systems; and
• strict enforcement of town-planning regulations.

Most importantly, the programme should involve local communities, traditional institutions, professional town planners, engineers, residents’ associations and the private sector.

BUILDING ON WHAT SUCCESSIVE ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE STARTED

The urban-renewal debate should not become a contest over which administration deserves credit.

Infrastructure development is a continuum.

One administration may conceive a project, another may commence it, while another completes or expands it.

What matters to the citizen is whether the project eventually improves his or her quality of life.

Available records show that Kogi has had repeated investments in township roads across different administrations. The present administration is also continuing road projects in Kabba and Okene.

The opportunity before Governor Ododo is therefore to bring these interventions together under a clearly defined urban-development framework.

THE TIME TO THINK BEYOND ROADS

The most important question is no longer simply how many kilometres of roads have been constructed.

The bigger question is:

What kind of cities does Kogi State want Kabba, Okene, Idah and Ankpa to become over the next 20 or 30 years?

That question requires planning beyond the next election cycle.

If the original urban-renewal concept is revisited, updated and properly funded, the four towns could become models of modern urban development in their respective parts of Kogi State.

Governor Ododo therefore has an opportunity to take an existing idea and give it a new lease of life — not necessarily by reproducing the past, but by building on what has been achieved and completing the broader vision of transforming Kogi’s major towns into functional, attractive and economically productive urban centres.

The roads may be the beginning.

But urban renewal must be the destination.