Residents, Motorists Laud Road Reconstruction, As Streets Wear New Look In Lokoja »

With reconstruction work progressing rapidly on a number of roads across the state, residents and road users in Lokoja have hailed the Governor Yahaya Bello administration for the ongoing road rehabilitation, which they say has positively impacted traffic and commercial activities.

The state government late last year approved the reconstruction of township roads in the state capital, after an audit of the roads, with a commitment to deliver them before the start of rainy season.

Transport operators have described the rehabilitation work as strategic for their operations, noting that the state government’s decision to work on the roads was a step in the right direction.

A motorcycle operator, Sunday Enema hailed the governor for the rehabilitation of roads, noting that there has been free flow of traffic in areas where government has intervened.

He said, “I must say that the ongoing road rehabilitation carried out by the state government has impacted positively on our operations. Unlike in the past, we avoided some routes because of the bad spots. I am confident that when work is completed on all the road approved by the governor, we will be able to work everywhere and not spend too much on repairs.”

A resident, Mrs Morenike Johnson praised Governor Yahaya Bello for giving facelift to the state capital. She said the various road being constructed in the state capital including the ones in the villages shows that Yahaya Bello means well for the state.

InsideStory Correspondent who took a trip around Lokoja reports that workmen were seen using different equipment laying asphalt and constructing drainages at different portions of the road. The state government is fixing all the roads in the capital city and beautifying the road median to add aesthetics. Our reporter also confirmed that the government has procured solar powered street lights to be mounted all over.

The stretch from NTA-Kogi Cycle down to Unity roundabout all the way to the ever busy GTB junction; the Stella Obasanjo library – Government house; and the Wallace – Maigari – Old Central Mosque road have been given a new look for the past few days, thanks to the asphalt overlay by Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA), supervised by the Ministry of Works and Housing.

Also, work has started on NTA roundabout – Post office junction down to Jakura Marble road with reconstruction of failed drainage systems ongoing. The work is expected to cover roads linking Fen Junction all the way to Hydro junction.

Mr. Ahammed Shaba, the technical assistant to the KOGROMA boss appealed to road users to be patient around construction zones, adding that they are working hard to complete ongoing reconstruction on schedule. He said the quality of work being delivered is one that will stand the test of time.

Recall that Kogi state government has also taken upon itself the burden of reconstructing the Federal roads in the state capital, with the stretch of the dual carriage way from Natako junction all the way to Obasanjo square already completed, while filling with hardcore has been done in some sections from Obasanjo square to cemetery junction in preparation for the Stone base layer after which asphalt will be laid on it.

Residents are optimistic that the project all through traditional areas, through the township, will certainly open up the town to more opportunities and development.