By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja
Motorists and truck owners in the state have commended the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, over his effort to make the flooded parts of Ganaja road motorable again.
These professionals and Adejoh Ocheja gave the commendation on Thursday at the arrival of heavy equipment, deployed by the Kogi State Ministry of Works and Kogi Road Mentainance Agency (KOGROMA) to the deplorable section of the Ganaja road, Lokoja.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Abah Benjamin Eneojo and made available a copy to The Reporters, an online publication in Lokoja on Friday.
The Reporters recalls that the road, which serves as a major route linking the North with the Eastern part of the country, has been overtaken by flood in the last one month, leading to trapping of several trucks and impeding other means of transportation in the area.
The Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Engr. Abubakar S. Ohere revealed that even though the Ganaja Road “is a Federal Road, the economic importance of the route to the State and the Nation can not be over emphasized.”
Ohere added that the state government could not fold its hand without making effort to make the road passable, considering the socio-economic importance of the road to the state and the nation at large.
The commissioner further that the state government took the cause of rehabilitating the road to enable the evacuation of trapped articulated vehicles and create palliative for commuters.
This he however said would be, pending the total reconstruction of the road in accordance with the designed master plan.
On whether he has received any support from the Federal Government, Ohere said ” As at this level of work, the state government has not received any attention or commitment from the Federal Government.
“That is why we are appealing to the Federal Ministry Of works and Housing to graciously approve the reenforcement of the compliance of the contract awarded for the construction of Ganaja road.”
He recalled that the road had been awarded to three contractors in the past but that they were yet to begin work, adding that because of the strategic location of the road, the palliative measure had to commence while the road awaits lasting solution.
The Commissioner further stated that to avoid further gridlock on the road, the men of the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies would be made available in order to encourage free flow of vehicular movement in this season.
Ohere appealed to the Federal Government to dredge the River Niger to enable proper flow of water, stressing that “if the River Niger is not dredged, any little over flow will take over the community.”
The Commissioner,who thanked the motorists and the people of Ganaja for enduring the hardship they experienced in the last few weeks also commended the support of the community, describing the synergy as worthy of emulation.
He Ohere assured the people of the state of the continued support of Governor Yahaya Bello philosophy of DO MORE for their wellbeing.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview with The Reporters in Lokoja, other residents reminded the state government of other roads, esepcially that of Zone 8 in the state capital, in need of rehabilitation as well.
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