By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh in Lokoja .
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, says his administration has taken proactive steps to avert the recurring Yuletide traffic gridlock along the Lokoja–Abuja highway, a major transit corridor for holiday travelers.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance on Thursday during an assessment tour of the high way aimed at putting facilityin proper shape before yuletide.
Our Correspondent reports that the assessment tour of the road involved security chiefs, officials of federal and state ministries of works, and the State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The team inspected critical sections of the road to evaluate their readiness ahead of the festive season.
Represented by the State Security Adviser, Commander Duro Jerry Omodara (rtd), the governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing infrastructural developments across the state, describing the Lokoja–Koto–Abaji road project as “quality work.”
“Following the resolution of the State Executive Council, we embarked on this inspection to determine how stable and comfortable the highway will be for Christmas. Our aim is to prevent the gridlock we often experience during the Yuletide,” Ododo said.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration between the state, federal agencies, and contractors would ensure smooth traffic flow despite ongoing construction works.
The representative of the contractor, Trucrete Solutions Ltd, Engr. Frank Renzo, thanked the government for the visit and assured that the highway would be made “fully motorable” before the festive period, pledging that blocked sections would be reopened and damaged spots repaired ahead of the December rush.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, CC Tenimu Yusuf Etuku, emphasized the strategic importance of Kogi state as a major national transit hub in Nigeria,noting that a significant increase in vehicular movement is expected in the state during the festive period.
“We are expecting high motorization during the Yuletide. The state government and security agencies have mobilized all relevant stakeholders to remove obstructions and ensure free traffic flow,” he said, adding that the FRSC would commence early deployment of personnel for safety operations.
Similarly, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Alesan Olumide Ebenezer, said officers of the Corps would work closely with the FRSC to ensure a seamless travel experience for motorists.
Also present during the inspection were the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, and his Kogi Local Government counterpart, Hon. Musa Abdulmalik, alongside representatives of security agencies and media organisations.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
