Senator Sunday Stephen Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has allocated N17 million for the reconstruction of the deteriorated Pakuta Bridge, which connects Aiyegunle Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area to Kiri in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The bridge is also a key link to Kupa North and South in Lokoja Local Government Area and some communities in Niger State.
The Pakuta Bridge, which had collapsed due to lack of proper funding and maintenance by the Federal Government, severely impacted local communities, particularly farmers who rely on the road to transport their agricultural products.
Professor Olu Obafemi, the Asiwaju of Kiri Kingdom and Chairman of the Project Committee, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Olukiri and the surrounding communities for Senator Karimi’s timely intervention. Obafemi highlighted that the bridge reconstruction, estimated at N17 million, was essential to restoring connectivity and improving livelihoods in the region.
Obafemi noted that the road had originally been contracted to Setraco Nig. Ltd. but was abandoned due to funding issues. He assured that the project committee, along with local stakeholders, would ensure proper management of the funds and oversee the reconstruction process. Senator Karimi also committed to investigating the Federal Government’s funding arrangements with Setraco in hopes of resuming work on the broader road network.
In addition to the bridge project, Senator Karimi has demonstrated ongoing support for his constituency. In September, he disbursed N100 million to 50 women’s cooperative societies as part of his Constituency Empowerment Scheme. In July 2024, he also launched a bursary award worth N100 million to support 1,000 students from Kogi West in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.