Kogi Airport Rising, But Newly Built Zango Road Already Crying for Help
By Alao Sunday Adamadamosi, arpa
Across Kogi State, excitement is building as the Kogi International Cargo and Passenger Airport takes shape along the Lokoja-Abuja corridor. Though still under active construction, the project represents a bold leap towards economic diversification, agricultural export, and global connectivity for the confluence state. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration has invested heavily in this vision, and Kogites are eagerly awaiting the day when the first aircraft touches down on home soil.
However, even as the airport rises, a troubling reality is unfolding on the ground. Zango Road—the major arterial route that ushers travellers from the Welcome to Lokoja gateway, through Chari Maigumeri Barrack, and past the Zone 8 Roundabout into the heart of the state capital—is already showing signs of severe distress. The irony is painful: this road was only recently constructed, yet it now requires urgent rehabilitation. As the airport project advances, stakeholders are asking: If we cannot maintain what we have just built, how will we sustain the airport when it is completed?
The Zango Road corridor is one of the most critical transportation links in Lokoja metropolis. It serves as the primary entry point for travellers coming from Lagos, Edo, Kwara and other Western states. It also provides access to key military installation, such as the Chari Maigumeri Barracks, and connects seamlessly to the Zone 8 Roundabout—a major intersection that distributes traffic to various parts of the city and beyond.
When the road was newly constructed, it was celebrated as a testament to the government’s commitment to infrastructure renewal. For a brief period, motorists enjoyed smooth rides, reduced travel times, and a respite from the dust and potholes that had plagued the route for years.
But that relief has proven short-lived. Barely months after completion, the road is already deteriorating at an alarming rate. Cracks have appeared on the asphalt surface. Sections of the pavement are sinking, creating dangerous dips that force drivers to brake suddenly. During the rainy season, poor drainage has led to flooding along several stretches, while the dry months expose crumbling edges and loose gravel. Commuters, commercial drivers, and residents are united in their frustration.
Several factors have been cited by experts and observers for the premature decay of Zango Road:
1. Heavy Truck Traffic: The road serves as a bypass for heavy-duty trailers and tankers moving goods between the north, east, and south. These vehicles, often overloaded, exert immense pressure on the pavement, causing rapid wear and tear.
2. Poor Drainage Systems: Inadequate or poorly constructed side drains have allowed water to pool under the asphalt during rains, weakening the subgrade and leading to potholes and surface collapse.
3. Substandard Construction Materials: Some stakeholders have raised concerns about the quality of materials used during the initial construction, suggesting that cost-cutting may have compromised durability.
4. Lack of Routine Maintenance: While the road was new, the absence of regular maintenance—such as patching minor cracks, clearing drains, and resealing surfaces—has allowed small issues to escalate into major problems.
The Kogi Airport, though still under construction, is already reshaping the economic geography of the state. When operational, it will handle passenger flights and cargo exports—particularly agricultural produce like cashew, yam, cassava, and palm oil. The airport’s success depends on seamless connectivity to Lokoja and other commercial hubs. Zango Road is the primary access route from the airport corridor into the city. If it is in a state of disrepair now, what will it look like when the airport begins full operations?
Consider the implications:
· Cargo Delays: Perishable agricultural goods transported from the airport to storage or processing facilities will face delays, leading to spoilage and financial losses.
· Investor Deterrence: Businessmen and investors flying into Kogi will form their first impression of the state on the journey from the airport to Lokoja. A crumbling access road sends a message of neglect and unreliability.
· Commuter Hardship: Thousands of civil servants, military personnel from Chari Maigumeri Barracks, students, and traders use Zango Road daily. Their vehicles are suffering increased maintenance costs, and their travel times are lengthening.
· Revenue Loss: Poor roads increase logistics costs for businesses, which are eventually passed on to consumers, fueling inflation and reducing disposable income.
Residents and road users along the Zango corridor are speaking out. A Keke NAPEP commercial driver who plies the route daily said: “We were so happy when this road was built. For a few months, it was like heaven. Now, we are back to dodging potholes. My Keke has been damaged twice in the last three weeks. This road needs help urgently.”
A trader near the Zone 8 Roundabout added: “Customers are now avoiding this area because the road is bad. Our businesses are suffering. The government must rehabilitate this road before it completely collapses. We don’t want to wait until it becomes a death trap.”
The Kogi State government has not been silent on this issue. Officials have acknowledged the challenges facing Zango Road and have indicated that rehabilitation is on the agenda. However, stakeholders are calling for more than just patchwork repairs. They are demanding a comprehensive approach:
1. Full Structural Rehabilitation: The road needs to be properly reconstructed, not just patched. This should include a reinforced base layer capable of withstanding heavy truck traffic.
2. Improved Drainage Systems: Proper side drains and culverts must be installed to prevent waterlogging and subgrade weakening.
3. Quality Assurance: The government must ensure that contractors use high-quality materials and adhere to engineering standards. Independent supervision should be mandated.
4. Routine Maintenance Plan: A dedicated maintenance team should be assigned to Zango Road to address minor cracks, clear drains, and reseal surfaces regularly—before problems escalate.
5. Weight Restrictions: Enforcement of weight limits for heavy-duty trucks using the road should be considered, with weighbridges installed to prevent overloading.
6. Timeline Commitment: The government should announce a clear rehabilitation timeline and communicate progress to the public regularly
The Zango Road situation is a microcosm of a larger governance challenge: the ability to not only build new infrastructure but to sustain it. The Kogi Airport is a gleaming symbol of ambition and progress. But if the road that leads to it is allowed to decay, the entire project risks being undermined.
Governor Ododo’s administration has shown courage in pursuing transformative projects. From the airport to the ultra-modern market, from electricity reforms to ease-of-doing-business initiatives, the trajectory is clear: Kogi is moving forward. But moving forward requires attention to the basics. Zango Road is not a minor side street; it is the gateway to the state capital and the access route to the airport. Its rehabilitation must be treated with the same urgency as the airport itself.
Kogi State stands at a pivotal moment. The airport is rising, and with it, hopes for a new economic dawn. But that dawn will be clouded if Zango Road continues to crumble. The road was newly built, and it should have served the people for years to come. Its premature decay is a warning sign that must not be ignored.
We call on the government to act decisively: Rehabilitate Zango Road now—from Welcome to Lokoja, through Chari Maigumeri Barrack, to Zone 8 Roundabout. Let the road be restored to its former glory, and let it be maintained with discipline. When the first plane eventually lands at Kogi Airport, let it be welcomed by a smooth, safe, and dignified road that reflects the pride and progress of the confluence state.
The airport is the dream. Zango Road is the path to that dream. Let us ensure the path is worthy of the destination.
Alao Sunday Adamadamosi, arpa writes from Lokoja.
