By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The Kogi State House of Assembly has passed a bill restricting the movement of heavy-duty trucks within the Lokoja metropolis, alongside three other bills, all awaiting the assent of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The bill, passed during Tuesday’s plenary session, aims to regulate the movement of heavy-duty trucks on township roads not designed to accommodate their weight. It also seeks to curb the frequency of road accidents, particularly along the Felele axis of the Lokoja-Abuja highway.
The four bills were passed following a clause-by-clause consideration, adoption, and third reading by the Clerk of the House.
The other bills passed include:
A Bill for a Law to Establish the Kogi State Agency for Climate Change and Related Matters, 2025;
A Bill to Establish the Kogi State Bureau of Lands and Other Related Matters, 2025;
A Bill to Repeal the Local Government Electoral Law, 2004, and Enact the Kogi State Local Government Electoral Law, 2025.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, who chaired the Committee of the Whole, described the bills as crucial to the development and safety of the state.
He emphasized the importance of the truck movement restriction bill, noting its potential to safeguard lives, especially in the Felele area, where frequent accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles have claimed lives and destroyed property.
“With the presence of the Federal University, Lokoja, and Kogi State Polytechnic in that area, each accident puts the lives of our young people—the future leaders of our state—at risk,” Yusuf said.
He lamented the loss of lives and properties, often consumed by fire in such crashes, and stressed that the law was a proactive measure to prevent further tragedies.
Yusuf explained that the restriction on truck movement would apply between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., urging road users from both the northern and southern parts of the country to respect the new law in the interest of public safety.
On the Climate Change Bill, the Speaker said it would enable the state to access more information and resources related to environmental protection. He encouraged citizens to take better care of their surroundings.
He also commended his colleagues for their legislative expertise and urged them to attend workshops and seminars to further sharpen their lawmaking skills.
Governor Ododo is expected to give assent to the four bills in the coming days.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
–
