By Correspondent in Okene.
Drivers and commuters plying the popular check point, the road that links Okene in Kogi State to Benin in Edo state as well as South south and South-east parts of the country,have expressed sigh over the disappearance of gridlock on the road in Okene recent time.
Those concerned gave their delight in separate interview with the Correspondent of The Reporters, an online publication in Okene on Saturday.
Our Correspondent,who visited the Okene axis of the road on Saturday, said the federal road was devoid of the usual long queue of vehicles, especially the articulated ones which usually carry goods, especially perishable items.
The online publication reports that the long queue, which metamorphosed to gridlock, was caused by the deplorable condition of the road noticeable from the check point up to Okpella, the boundary between Okene and Edo state and beyond.
The development led to the delay of vehicles, especially articulated ones in Okene,some upto two or three days before they could move on to other part of the southern and eastern states with resultant man- hour loss and stress among other inconviences.
Our Correspondent, however, gathered that the federal government has commenced the rehabilitation of the road, hence, the relative ease being enjoyed by drivers and commuters plying the road.
There has been serious concern in kogi state, in recent time, over the deplorable condition of federal roads that pass through the state to other parts of the country, with a clarion call on the government to put such vital structure in order, to enhance transportation of persons and goods.
One of the Okene-based commercial drivers that ply the road, Malam Okino Mohammed, described his experience, while the gridlock lasted, as terrible, adding that most of his proceeds from his business went into the repair of his vehicle.
Mohammed expressed concern that the deplorable condition of the road had also sent some of his colleagues to unemployment market, as they could not cope with the wear and tear of their vehicles and the repairs as a result of driving on the road.
” I thank God that the gridlock on this road that gave drivers and passengers sleepless night for quite some months has gone due to the repairs being carried by the federal government,” he said.
“I hope the current ease in traffic on this road will not be a respite, just as I am calling on the federal government to put its roads in good condition.
“Doing that will bring a lot advantages to the people, as it will reduce the rate of vehicle repairs, accident, reduction in transport fare,enhance conveyance of food stuff and check insecurity on the road among others,” an Okene-Auchi bound passenger gave the advice in an interview with The Reporters in Okene.
