Yuletide: Reps urge IGP to deploy police along Abuja–Lokoja expressway

The House of Representatives has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to deploy adequate security personnel to identified hotspots along the Abuja–Lokoja expressway and other high-risk routes to ensure the safety of travellers during the Yuletide season.

The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Works to immediately reopen sections of the Gwagwalada–Abaji–Kotonkarfe–Lokoja expressway currently closed to traffic, in order to ease congestion and improve vehicular movement during the Christmas period.

The resolutions followed the adoption of an urgent motion sponsored by Hon. Danladi Aguye, who described the Abuja–Lokoja highway as a vital economic corridor linking the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the North-Central region and other parts of the country.

Presenting the motion, Aguye said the highway plays a crucial role in the transportation of goods, petroleum products, agricultural produce and commuters between Abuja, Kogi State and neighbouring states. He, however, noted that the road has continued to deteriorate due to poor maintenance, failed sections, erosion and recurring flooding.

The lawmaker expressed concern that the poor condition of the highway has led to frequent road crashes, loss of lives and property, prolonged traffic gridlock and increased insecurity, with stranded motorists often exposed to criminal attacks.

He also lamented the slow pace of rehabilitation works by the Federal Ministry of Works, noting that some sections of the road become almost impassable during the rainy season, thereby undermining economic activities and national development.

In adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite ongoing construction and rehabilitation works on the Abaji–Kotonkarfe–Lokoja axis to guarantee safe passage for road users.

The lawmakers further called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to intensify traffic control and safety enforcement to reduce road crashes along the affected sections.

In an amendment moved by Hon. Amobi Ogah, the House resolved that the Federal Ministry of Works, in collaboration with the Committees on Appropriation, should ensure that the complete rehabilitation and expansion of the Abuja–Lokoja highway is adequately captured in the national budget.

The House also mandated the Inspector-General of Police to deploy security operatives along the expressway and other highways around Lokoja to curb insecurity.

The Committee on Legislative Compliance was tasked with ensuring strict implementation of the resolutions.

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