By Dada Ahmed.
Motorists and other road users plying the Lokoja–Okene Highway in Kogi State have decried the worsening condition of the Kabba Junction–Irepeni axis of the highway, calling on the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate the road to ease their plight.
The road users, who spoke to the Correspondent of The Reporters on Monday while in transit, described their experience as “unspeakable,” citing accelerated wear and tear on their vehicles and health challenges caused by the thick dust that constantly envelops the stretch.
A Lokoja-bound commercial driver, Mr. Saka Salihu, lamented that he had been forced to suspend his operations due to the toll the bad road had taken on his vehicle.
“For the past one week now, my car has been down, calling for repairs due to the impact of the bad section of the road. Right now, I am jobless because I cannot cope with the constant repairs,” he said in frustration.
According to Salihu, the deplorable condition of the Kabba Junction–Irepeni stretch has also created opportunities for criminal activities.
“Because vehicles are forced to slow down, kidnappers and robbers often take advantage, especially at night. It’s becoming dangerous to travel on this section of the road,” he added.
Other motorists who shared similar experiences expressed concern that the road, which is a major link between the North and the South, has been neglected for too long.
They noted that the poor state of the section of the road is not only affecting transporters but also traders and travelers who depend on the route for daily business.
A long-distance driver, Mr. Idris Musa, told The Reporters that many of his colleagues have abandoned the route entirely.
“The condition is terrible. You can spend hours navigating a few kilometers. If the government fails to act fast, this section may soon become impassable,” he warned.
Findings by The Reporters revealed that reconstruction work on the Lokoja–Okene Highway commenced early in 2025 but was abruptly halted on the section about three months ago without explanation from the authorities or the contractors handling the project.
Reacting to the situation, a senior official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Kogi State, who preferred anonymity,also joined the clarion call on the Federal Ministry of Works to mobilize contractors back to the site.
“This is one of the most important highways in the country. The government must not allow it to deteriorate further. It is not just about convenience, it’s about lives and the economy,” the official stated.
