Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.
Join for News Updates ✕
By Correspondent in Lokoja
Residents of Gadumo/Ganaja community have again appealed to the Federal and Kogi State governments to ensure timely completion of the 17-kilometre Ganaja road, to save them from the inherent health problem confronting them due to slow pace of work on the road.
Many of the residents who spoke with The Reporters correspondent on the issue on Friday at Gadumo, said they had been subjected to poisonous dust as a result of rehabilitation going on the road and the fact that the company handling did not factor in constant wetting of the road.
According to Mr Timothy Ocheja, apart from the slow pace of work on the road, the company handling the rehabilitation hardly wet the road,a development he said, had given him and thousands of others in the area serious nightmare.
Contributing, a health expert, Mr Onimisi Ibrahim, noted with concern that, many people with asthmatic condition had not been finding life easy staying in the area as they have to be inhaling dust each tine they plied the road.
” The whitish, poisonous dust coming out of the road due to the rehabilitation is dangerous to public health,most especially those with asthmatic condition.
“Even those without asthma stand the risk of contracting dust related ailments some of which can be fatal on the long run.
“We get respite to the offensive dust and whenever the rain stops,the suffering continues.
“It is high those connected with rehabilitation work on the road put heads together and complete the work without delay anymore,”he urged.
Another resident, who chose not to be identified, described the rehabilitation of the road as “slower than the working of tortoise.”
“How can the rehabilitation of a 17-kilometre take many months to be completed and yet, the dust coming out of such work remains snail pace of work,posing health danger to the public,”she lamented.
Our Correspondent gathered that apart from the health implication of the delay in the completion of the road, it has also affected the social and economic life of the people living in the area.
Some residents said they hardly open the doors and windows of their houses, in the mist of the terrible heat in Lokoja,to check the influx of dust to their rooms. Others added that they had stopped receiving visitors due to the problem.
Investigation by our Correspondent showed that the dust has sent many small business activities, along the road, such as car washing,out of business, following complaints by their operators of not being able to stomach inhaling dust that predisposed them to danger anymore.
As this report was at about being sent out for public consumption, rain which has been saving people set in at about 4.45p.m, a development that relieved residents many of who were seen jubilating and thanking God for the relief.
The Reporters recalls that the rehabilitation of the road commenced November 2020 with the hope that it will be completed within a span of three months.
The online publication further gathered that the rehabilitation of the road stems from the fact that, the road is usually cut up in the cubweb of yearly flood in Lokoja with devastating effect on the it, thereby impeding human and vehicular movement.
The difficulty facing commutters and motorists during flood and the poor condition of the road prompted government to begin the rehabilitation of the road.
Strategic Media Partnership for Growth and Reputation: Introducing The Reporters
The Reporters is a dynamic online news publication committed to delivering credible, timely, and impactful journalism across Nigeria and beyond. With a strong foundation in professional reporting and editorial integrity, the platform focuses on social, economic, political, and human development issues that shape public discourse. Backed by decades of journalistic experience, The Reporters offers a trusted voice that informs, educates, entertains, and influences a diverse and engaged audience.
For members of the business community, The Reporters provides a strategic platform to enhance visibility, build brand credibility, and connect with target markets. Through well-crafted news, features, interviews, sponsored content, and digital amplification, businesses can showcase their products, services, and innovations to a wider audience. This engagement not only drives patronage but also positions organisations as key contributors to economic growth and development.
Political actors and aspirants also stand to benefit significantly from partnering with The Reporters. As the 2027 elections approach, the platform offers an opportunity for politicians to effectively communicate their vision, programmes, and track records to the electorate. Through balanced profiling, issue-based coverage, and reputation management content, The Reporters helps shape public perception and strengthens candidates’ connection with voters.
Beyond visibility, The Reporters plays a crucial role in image laundering and perception management, presenting clients in a favourable, credible, and issue-driven light while maintaining ethical standards. By highlighting achievements, clarifying controversies, and projecting leadership qualities, the platform supports politicians in building trust and acceptance among constituents, which are critical assets in any electoral contest.
Engaging with The Reporters is therefore not just about publicity, it is about strategic communication for mutual benefit. Partners gain access to a credible media channel with the wide reach of The Reporters while it continues to fulfill its mandate of promoting development-oriented narratives. We invite stakeholders in both business and political spheres to collaborate with us in shaping informed opinions, driving growth, and advancing democratic engagement.
Prospective clients can reach us via WhatsApp: 08032901058 or email: ahmeddada008@gmail.com.
- Management
