By joshua Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Federal Projects Implementation, Chief Emmanuel Obasi Calls for Accelerated Federal Road Projects, Better Traffic Management in Kogi to avert incessant gridlocks along Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway.
The Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Federal Projects Implementation, Hon. Emmanuel I. Obasi, JP, has called on contractors handling Federal road projects in Kogi State to accelerate construction works and ensure that completed and substantially completed sections are opened to motorists without unnecessary delay.
Chief Obasi made the call while participating in the Critical Stakeholders’ Meeting on Traffic Management held on 16 September 2026 at the Glass House, Government House, Lokoja. The meeting was organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Road Safety Matters in collaboration with Critical Stakeholders to deliberate on measures to address traffic congestion, road obstructions and related challenges, particularly during the Ember Months and the forthcoming festive season.
In his contribution, Obasi stressed that the prolonged closure of road sections during construction is one of the factors capable of worsening traffic congestion, particularly along major Federal highways experiencing heavy vehicular movement.
He therefore urged contractors to intensify the pace of construction and open sections that are already completed and safe for traffic, rather than keeping such sections closed until the entire project is completed.
He also drew attention to the Federal Ministry of Works’ policy on limiting road closures to maximum of two kilometres by road contractors, urging contractors and supervising authorities to ensure compliance and properly manage diversions in order to minimise inconvenience to road users.
Highlighting a practical intervention by his office, Obasi cited the Kabba–Obajana Junction section where CGS Construction Company is carrying out road works. He disclosed that following his intervention and daily monitoring of the project, the sections leading to and from the bridge were made motorable within 10 days.
According to him, the intervention demonstrated the importance of sustained monitoring, engagement with contractors and prompt follow-up in addressing traffic challenges on ongoing road projects.
Obasi further called on contractors to ensure that all sections of their projects are made motorable as construction progresses, noting that contractors have a duty to do so insisting that motorists should not be unnecessarily frustrated simply because other portions of the project are still under construction.
He also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to support the Federal Ministry of Works and contractors in addressing funding, payment, procurement and other challenges that may affect the timely execution of Federal road projects. He noted that many contractors handling sections of the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway and it’s reverse corridor claims that they have generated certificates that have not been paid. He appealed to the conscience of the contractors that have already done sections of their projects to open them to traffic since the roads are already constructed and they know that they will eventually be paid.
The Special Adviser equally called on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to intensify intervention on failed and deteriorated sections of Federal highways, particularly locations where potholes, pavement failures and other defects are contributing to traffic slowdowns and bottlenecks.
He also called on the Nigerian Shippers Council to expedite action on the construction of the Okporoko-Ohono Vehicle Transit Area Project to take Long trucks and Heavy Duty Vehicles off the roads, noting that these vehicles frequently breakdown along the Federal Highway Corridors to cause gridlocks. He also noted that these vehicles park for prolonged periods along the roads for maintenance, repairs and rest and damage the roads especially as roads are not meant to carry static loads for long periods. A situation where over 10,000 fully loaded trucks park on the highway for prolonged periods for what other reasons, apart from gridlocks, calls for concern.
He noted that the condition of roads has a direct impact on traffic management, stressing that good and motorable roads reduce traffic hold-ups, delays, slowdowns, gridlocks, vehicle breakdowns and other frustrations experienced by motorists and commuters.
Obasi reaffirmed the commitment of his office to continued monitoring of Federal projects in Kogi State, engagement with contractors and relevant agencies, prompt escalation of critical challenges and advocacy for the accelerated completion and usability of road infrastructure across the State.
He maintained that sustained collaboration among the Kogi State Government, Federal Ministry of Works, FERMA, FRSC, contractors and other relevant stakeholders is essential to achieving safer roads, improved traffic flow and more efficient movement of people and goods across Kogi State.