A tanker explosion which killed 23 people in Kogi has reignited the need to consider the lone highway that goes from the country’s capital through Kogi to get to the east and southern parts of the country.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Thursday held separate meetings with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola on Thursday in the wake of the incident.
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Travellers, school children, students of Kogi State Polytechnic and bystanders were among those killed.
Governor Bello, while speaking with State House reporters, said Prof. Osinbajo voiced his sympathies and condolences to the families of those that lost their loved ones and promised to ensure that federal government brought succour to the bereaved families.
He said the Vice President also promised to support initiatives to guard against future occurrences, especially on the spot of the incident.
He said: “The Vice President is a very caring father and is concerned about what happened, particularly in what happened on Wednesday, the unfortunate accident that claimed the lives of innocent citizens in Kogi State.
“So, our discussion was very fruitful. He expressed his sympathies and condolences to the families of those that lost their loved ones and promised to ensure that federal government brings succour to the families of those that have lost their loved ones and to ensure that future occurrences, especially on that spot does not occur again. So, our discussion was very fruitful.”
Road infrastructure
Governor Bello, while reacting to a question that sought to know the way forward after his visit to the Minister of Works and Housing, said: “My visit to the minister of works and housing is in connection with the road infrastructure and other infrastructure that crisscross Kogi State, especially with the incident of yesterday (Wednesday).
“It is an accident. It can happen at any point in time. The minister swiftly invited all those that are concerned as far as our road construction and reconstruction are concerned. He has directed that FEMA moves into that spot immediately and fix those areas. Not only that, the road that links when coming from Okene, Lokoja, down to Abaji, between Kabba to Egbe, Umuaran to Ilorin and Ganaja village across to Shuntako, Dekina down to Ayangba, he has taken them very seriously and has promised that it will be well funded this time around. Also, the rehabilitation of Muritala Mohammed bridge, you know is only one lane that is being used. So, he has actually called the contractors to ensure speed completion of that project in view of the ember months that we are in now.
“You will recall that last July, I was on the road for five hours, directing traffic in that area. So, he expressed his concern also. Moving forward, federal government is going to fund the various contractors to ensure that those road infrastructures are completed. They are doing excellently well with road infrastructure across the country. But we want more attention to be paid to Kogi State because it is the gate way between the north and south. If our road is cut off, even FCT is going to suffer.”
