Abuja–Lokoja flooding: FG directs FERMA to rehabilitates Loko-Oweto -Agatu as alternative route

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, has directed the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately commence the rehabilitation of the Loko–Oweto–Agatu Road in Nasarawa State, as an alternative route for commuters  in case of the envisaged Abuja–Lokoja flooding.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued by Queenet Iheoma-Hart,For: Director, Press and Public Relations

The directive was issued during a stakeholders’ engagement with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN),

The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved several critical infrastructure initiatives, including the urgent rehabilitation of other strategic bridges such as the Carter Bridge, third Mainland Bridge, and Donga Bridge in Taraba State to strengthen Nigeria’s economic corridors and improve nationwide access for motorists.

Speaking at the Minister’s Conference Room at the weekend Goronyo underscored the enormous workload of the Ministry, citing major routes such as Abuja–Lokoja, Abuja–Kaduna–Kano, Sokoto–Zaria, and many others across the North, South, East, and West.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as “the people’s president”, and lauded his inclusive leadership and unwavering prioritisation of infrastructure as a “key enabler of growth and development” under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He highlighted ongoing interventions, particularly the Legacy Projects, including Lagos–Sokoto, Lagos–Badagry, Lagos–Calabar, Ebonyi–Nasarawa–Abuja, and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Trans-Sahara Route, stressing that no state has been left without road maintenance or construction under the current administration. He also applauded the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FANTE, for bringing engineering excellence and dedication to the Ministry’s projects.

Reaffirming the Ministry’s determination to work tirelessly in delivering modern, safe, and durable infrastructure for all Nigerians, in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Goronyo acknowledged the need for public re-orientation on road usage and enjoined the leaderships of the two associations on dedication, accountability and selfless service to the masses. “Public office is a burden, and that burden must be discharged with full accountability. There is no time for comfort zones, you must work day and night to deliver on your mandate. This is not a position for enjoyment or status, but for tireless service to Nigerians,” Goronyo stated.

Speaking, the MD/CEO of FERMA, Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, outlined the agency’s core focus namely; management of the road network with priority on economic corridors and addressing issues such as vandalism and overuse; and Data Collection, Updating Nigeria’s road corridor map with traffic statistics to guide maintenance planning. This, according to the Agbasi, was supported by a technical working group tasked with preparing a draft of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The President, NARTO, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, praised President Tinubu’s initiative on the delivery of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, 5 units of 50-seater buses, 20 units of 14-seater buses, and 50 units of 50 -seater buses, which have collectively reduced transportation costs for NARTO operations by over 30%.