…. Monarch Lists Accident-Prone Spots, Urges Action to Prevent Gridlock and Loss of Lives
The Ohimegye Igu of Koton Karfe, Dr. Alhaji Saidu Akawu Salihu, on Tuesday stormed the Federal Ministry of Works in Lokoja to demand urgent intervention on the Lokoja-Abuja Federal Highway ahead of the Ember months.
The traditional ruler said his visit was to bring to the fore the hardship faced by residents and motorists along the corridor, which has become increasingly dangerous.
He said the decision to visit the Ministry followed a resolution of the Traditional Council meeting, and called on the Ministry to take immediate notice of critical sections of the road that require urgent attention from Abaji to Lokoja.
Specifically, the Ohimegye Igu listed the following areas: the portions between Chikara and Abaji, Aseni and Omoko, the Idu Bridge, the sections between Gegu Egba and Ahoko, Manyare and Gegu-Beki Gaba, Okpana and Ozi Community, as well as the diversion in Koton Karfe. The Ohimegye called for greater attention at the first and second bridges, as well as Iziho Community.
While noting that the completion of the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway remains the dream of residents and motorists, however said repairing the identified sections causing gridlock and accidents would bring immediate relief to road users.
“Every day we live in fear of mishaps that leads to calamity. This is why the Traditional Council asked me to personally visit you and express the enormity of our worry over the state of the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Road,” the Ohimegye Igu stated.
He added that each time there is gridlock, residents and motorists are forced to contend with long queues into Lokoja, with negative consequences including loss of man-hours and fatalities.
“I urge you to take responsibility as we step into the Ember months. Our people and motorists plying the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway have suffered untold hardship,” he said.
Responding, the Kogi State Acting Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Owoniya Bankole, acknowledged the concerns raised by the traditional ruler. He described the Koton Karfe-Abaji section of the Abuja road as a hotspot, but expressed optimism that measures to ease the suffering of communities along the corridor have already been activated.
Engr. Bankole explained that the current delays and gridlock were occasioned by the Federal Government’s ongoing conversion of the road from asphalt to concrete, a process that involves a slower pace of construction but adds much value with a longer lifespan and durability, requiring less maintenance over several years. He assured that priority attention would be placed on the observed challenging portions.
The Controller said the Federal Ministry of Works takes responsibility and apologized to residents and motorists. He noted that efforts would be intensified to minimize the catastrophe and make the road safer for users.
He added that the Ministry would collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies to ensure that factors contributing to gridlocks on the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway are addressed with utmost urgency.
The high point of the visit was the presentation of a letter addressed to the Minister of Works by the Ohimegye Igu of Koton Karfe to the Acting Federal Controller of Works.
