The Ohimegye Igu of Koton Karfe, Dr. Alhaji Saidu Akawu Salihu, on Tuesday stormed the Federal Ministry of Works in Lokoja to demand urgent intervention on the Lokoja-Abuja Federal Highway ahead of the Ember months.
The traditional ruler said the visit was to draw attention to the hardship faced by residents and motorists along the corridor, which he described as increasingly dangerous.
He said the decision followed a resolution of the Traditional Council meeting. He urged the Ministry to take immediate action on critical sections of the road from Abaji to Lokoja.
Specifically, the Ohimegye Igu listed the portions between Chikara and Abaji, Aseni and Omoko, the Idu Bridge, Gegu Egba and Ahoko, Manyare and Gegu-Beki Gaba, Okpana and Ozi Community, as well as the diversion in Koton Karfe. He also called for urgent attention at the first and second bridges as well as Iziho Community.
While noting that the completion of the Abuja-Lokoja highway remains the aspiration of residents and motorists, he said fixing the identified sections would ease gridlock, reduce accidents and bring immediate relief to road users.
“Every day we live in fear of mishaps that lead to calamity. This is why the Traditional Council asked me to personally visit and express our concern over the state of the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Road,” he stated.
He added that gridlock forces residents and motorists to contend with long queues into Lokoja, resulting in loss of man-hours and fatalities.
“I urge you to take responsibility as we enter the Ember months. Our people and motorists plying the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway have suffered untold hardship,” he said.
In response, the Kogi State Acting Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Owoniya Bankole, acknowledged the concerns. He described the Koton Karfe-Abaji section as a hotspot, but expressed optimism that measures to ease the suffering of communities along the corridor have been activated.
Engr. Bankole explained that the current delays were caused by the Federal Government’s conversion of the road from asphalt to concrete. He said the process is slower but delivers greater value, durability and a longer lifespan with minimal maintenance. He assured that priority attention would be given to the problematic sections.
The Controller said the Federal Ministry of Works takes responsibility and apologized to residents and motorists. He added that efforts would be intensified to reduce the challenges and make the road safer.
He also said the Ministry would collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies to address factors causing gridlock on the Abuja-Lokoja highway with utmost urgency.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of a letter addressed to the Minister of Works by the Ohimegye Igu of Koton Karfe to the Acting Federal Controller of Works.
