***Assembly expresses shock, urges FG to create alternative routes
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
KOGI Government has directed the State Ministry of Works to initiate a meeting with its Federal counterpart with a view to enforcing speed limits, safety regulations on the Felele axis of the Lokoja-Abuja highway.
The move is against the backdrop of recurrence of accidents involving articulated vehicles claiming lives of students of Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja and other commuters plying the highway.
In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, the state government expressed deep concern over the frequent accidents.
He said that the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had also directed the State Security Adviser and the Commissioner for Transportation to come up with modalities to regulate movement of heavy trucks during the active hours of the day around the institutions.
The state government expressed sympathies with the families of six students and a driver who lost their lives on Monday when an articulated vehicle lost control and crushed an FUL shuttle mini-bus conveying them from school.
The state Commissioner who described Tuesday as “A sad day in the state” said the incident had caused immeasurable pains to families as well as the Government of Kogi State and the Federal University of Lokoja community.
“This incident has further highlighted the need for all stakeholders to begin to push the conversation for a safer highway, especially in places close to institutions of learning and other populated areas.
“We call for caution by all road users to avoid this kind of unfortunate and heart-rendering incident.
“We also urge the students to remain calm and not cause more harm as the State Government is prepared to work with the Management of the institution to improve safety of students and road users.
“Our hearts are with the families of the victims in this dark hour. May God strengthen them to deal with the irreparable loss”, the Commissioner said.
In same vein, the state House of Assembly has expressed shock over the unfortunate accident and urged that strict measures be taken to stop continued loss of lives on the Felele axis of the highway Lokoja-Abuja highway.
In a statement from the Assembly signed by Yabagi Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to Speaker Umar Yusuf, the Assembly members frowned at the continued recurrence of accidents on the highway.
They held that the highway had gained notoriety for the deaths of students of higher institutions in Lokoja, the State Capital saying that they would not sit idly and watch the negative trend.
The House called on the Federal Government to create alternative routes through Agbaja Road to enable the shuttle buses conveying students access the school easily, saying such alternative route is capable of averting the dangers of the highway. (Ends)