A former deputy governor of Kogi State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the completion of the Abuja-Lokoja road within one year, citing the importance of the highway to commuters and economic activities.
The former deputy governor made the appeal while highlighting the need for urgent attention to the long-delayed project, which serves as a major link between the Federal Capital Territory and several states in the North-Central region.
The Abuja-Lokoja corridor has remained a major infrastructure concern, with motorists frequently facing delays and difficult driving conditions along sections of the route.
The call comes as the Federal Government continues work on the highway. Recent updates from the Works Ministry indicate that contractors are handling different sections of the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene corridor, with some portions completed or under construction.
The former Kogi deputy governor appealed to Tinubu to give the project the priority required to ensure that construction is completed within 12 months.
He noted that finishing the road would ease transportation difficulties, reduce travel time and improve the movement of people and goods between Abuja, Kogi and other parts of the country.
The highway is particularly important to Kogi because of the state’s strategic location and its connection to the Federal Capital Territory and other major economic corridors.
Concerns over delays have persisted around some sections of the project, including areas where ongoing construction has contributed to traffic congestion.
The former deputy governor therefore urged the President and relevant authorities to ensure that funding, supervision and contractors’ activities are coordinated effectively to prevent further delays.
He also called for sustained monitoring of the project to ensure that contractors meet agreed timelines and that the quality of construction is not compromised in the rush to deliver the road.
The appeal adds to growing calls for the Federal Government to accelerate work on major highways across Nigeria as motorists continue to grapple with deteriorating road infrastructure.
