Umahi announces plans for flyover to address flooding on Abuja-Lokoja Highway

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced that his ministry will implement a lasting solution to address the recurring flooding issue on the Abuja-Lokoja highway by constructing a flyover. The move is aimed at putting an end to the constant flooding that plagues the highway during certain periods.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the minister made this declaration on Tuesday during his inspection tour of ongoing construction projects on the Abuja-Lokoja road, just a day after assuming office.

During the tour, Minister Umahi, accompanied by Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and several ministry directors, examined various work sites along the road. Emphasizing the importance of the Abuja-Lokoja road as a major route connecting different regions of the country, Umahi stressed that it serves as a vital link between the southwest, south-south, and southeast regions to the Federal Capital Territory and the northern part of Nigeria.

Given its pivotal role in the nation’s socio-economic landscape, Umahi asserted that the Abuja-Lokoja road deserved special attention and priority in terms of development and maintenance.

Umahi pointed out a specific section prone to flooding at Koton Karfe and proposed the construction of a flyover as a solution. He noted that building a flyover over the flood-prone area—stretching about 1.6 kilometers and requiring five flyovers multiplied by two—would effectively mitigate the flooding issue. He added that a proposal would be prepared and presented to the President for approval, as the aim is to implement sustainable solutions to existing challenges.

Regarding the ongoing road construction project, Umahi encouraged the contractors to utilize concrete in their work. He indicated that there would be a reevaluation and redesign of the road contracts. Furthermore, he assured the public of his commitment to promoting the use of concrete roads across the country due to their durability, which can extend up to 50 years, and their minimal maintenance requirements.