By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Human rights advocate and Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Mr. Idris Miliki Abdul, has raised an alarm over the dire state of Kogi’s transport sector, urging the government to declare a “State of Emergency” in the sector.
In a statement issued in Lokoja, Miliki criticized the over-reliance on private operators, leaving citizens stranded and the state’s transport infrastructure in shambles.
He lamented the collapse of the once-functional state transport company, which previously managed intra- and inter-city shuttles but has now become defunct.
“Workers, students, and citizens are struggling to commute to workplaces, schools, places of worship, and business centers,” he said.
Miliki highlighted Kogi’s strategic location, bordered by nine states and the Federal Capital Territory, with an average of 10,000 vehicles passing through daily. Yet, he noted, the state has no functional commercial fleet, airport, or investment in water transportation, despite being home to the Rivers Niger and Benue.
“Over 32 years, successive administrations have ignored these God-given resources, even as yearly floods wreak havoc on communities,” he added.
The activist stressed that revitalizing the transport sector could create jobs, boost revenue, and significantly improve the lives of Kogi citizens.
“We urge the current administration to prioritize investment in this critical sector for the benefit of all,” Miliki concluded.