Ododo Vows To End Lokoja-Abuja Gridlock

Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has assured that the gridlock which paralysed the Nataco-Banda axis of Lokoja-Abuja highway in April would be the last and pledged decisive action to end years of hardship for motorists and businesses along the highway.

He gave the assurance through his special adviser on federal projects implementation, Mr Emmanuel Obasi, during a visit to Kogi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, KOCCIMA, in Lokoja yesterday.

The governor’s said his intervention drew direct attention from President Bola Tinubu, with the road now elevated to a priority federal project.

He noted that aside from funding, every other measure had been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the gridlock.

He disclosed that the president’s intervention led to unbundling of the contract to six reputable construction firms, unlike the past when Gitto Construction Company handled the entire stretch alone.

He said the move was already accelerating progress on the site.

The governor assured that before year-end, the most critical bad sections would be become functional.

“All things being equal, with the President’s intervention through the Minister of Works, the Lokoja-Abuja road will be functional before the end of this year,” he said.

In his response, KOCCIMA president, Dr Akerejola Damiloye, commended the governor and urged urgent action to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Company.