By joshua KOGI STATE SPECIAL ADVISER TO GOVERNOR CALLS FOR URGENT FERMA INTERVENTION ON DEPLORABLE SECTIONS OF LOKOJA–ABUJA FEDERAL HIGHWAY
Lokoja, Kogi State | 31st July, 2026
The Kogi State Special Adviser to the Governor on Federal Projects Implementation (FPI), Chief Emmanuel Obasi, JP, has called on the Headquarters of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Abuja, to urgently undertake emergency maintenance works on the failed sections of the Lokoja–Abuja and Abuja–Lokoja Federal Highways between the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) axis and the NATACO axis.
Chief Obasi made the call following an inspection of the affected corridor conducted on Tuesday, 28th July 2026, and Wednesday, 29th July 2026.
According to him, the inspection revealed well over 100 failed sections and bad spots on both carriageways of the highway, many of which have become extremely dangerous to motorists, commercial transport operators, and other road users.
He noted that the deteriorating condition of the highway has continued to expose commuters to road crashes, vehicle breakdowns, traffic congestion, occasional gridlocks, and avoidable loss of lives and property.
Chief Obasi emphasized that the section of the road under reference is the commercial nerve centre of Lokoja, Kogi State. It serves as the principal gateway into the State capital and carries virtually all vehicular traffic travelling from Abuja through Lokoja to Edo State and other states in the South-South and South West, as well as destinations further south. The strategic importance of this corridor, he said, makes its continuous motorability a matter of national economic interest.
“The Lokoja–Abuja Federal Highway and its reverse corridor remain one of Nigeria’s most strategic inland transport routes, serving as the major gateway between the Federal Capital Territory and the southern parts of the country. Every day, thousands of commuters, commercial vehicles, articulated trucks, and businesses depend on this corridor for the movement of people, goods, and services,” he stated.
Chief Obasi further observed that the deplorable state of the road is already imposing enormous economic costs on businesses and commuters through increased travel time, excessive fuel consumption, rising vehicle maintenance costs, and substantial losses in productivity and man-hours. He recalled that the Kogi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KOCCIMA) recently disclosed that its members alone lost over ₦120 million during the last major gridlock experienced along the corridor, noting that the cumulative losses suffered by other businesses, government institutions, transport operators, and individual road users would be considerably higher.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving the comprehensive reconstruction of the Abuja–Lokoja and Lokoja–Abuja Federal Highways through the Federal Ministry of Works with multiple contractors, describing the approval as a landmark step towards providing a permanent solution to the challenges on the corridor. He further commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, for continually engaging the federal authorities in the interest of the state and for his effective, top-notch security architecture that remains highly result-responsive, ensuring safety and stability across Kogi State.
However, he emphasized that while the reconstruction project is being processed and executed, the state of the highway is already a NATIONAL EMERGENCY to keep the highway safe and motorable.
Chief Obasi therefore appealed to FERMA Headquarters to declare the failed sections of the highway a NATIONAL EMERGENCY and deploy Emergency Maintenance Teams to the affected sections before the rainy season fully sets in and before the heavy traffic associated with the approaching Ember months begins. He noted that prompt intervention would prevent further deterioration, save lives, reduce economic losses, preserve countless productive man-hours, and ensure uninterrupted movement along this vital national corridor.
He also commended the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Kogi State Field Office for its commendable maintenance interventions on some federal roads within the State, including sections of the Lokoja–Abuja Highway, the Anyigba–Ankpa–Olamaboro–Otukpa Federal Road, and the recent repair works within the Okene axis. He noted, however, that the scale of deterioration on the Lokoja–Abuja Highway including some spots recently maintained by FERMA Kogi State Field Office have gone so bad and beyond what the State Field Office can reasonably handle and therefore requires the immediate intervention and support of FERMA Headquarters.
Chief Obasi expressed confidence that FERMA Headquarters would respond with the same urgency demonstrated by it in other deplorable roads across the country in Kogi State.
Signed:
Chief Emmanuel Obasi, JP
Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Federal Projects Implementation (FPI)