Government Prepares Alternative Route as Flood Threatens Abuja-Lokoja Highway
The Federal Government has moved to prevent a potential transportation crisis by directing the immediate rehabilitation of the LokoβOwetoβAgatu Road in Nasarawa State. This action comes as a precautionary measure against the anticipated flooding of the AbujaβLokoja highway, a critical economic corridor. The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Goronyo, issued the directive during a stakeholder meeting with key transport and petroleum unions, ensuring a viable alternative for commuters.
In a proactive effort to bolster national infrastructure, the Federal Executive Council has also approved the urgent repair of other strategic bridges across the country. These include the Carter Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, as well as the Donga Bridge in Taraba State. According to the Minister, these projects are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader “Renewed Hope Agenda” to deliver modern and safe road networks for all Nigerians.
During the engagement, the Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, detailed the agency’s strategy, which prioritizes the management of major economic corridors and addresses issues like vandalism. This is complemented by a new focus on comprehensive data collection to update Nigeriaβs road maps and guide future maintenance planning.
The governmentβs efforts have received praise from industry leaders. The presidents of both the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) lauded the initiatives. Specifically, the NARTO president highlighted how the recent delivery of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses has already reduced transportation costs for their members by over 30%, while the IPMAN president pledged full support for the Ministryβs work.
