In a decisive move to protect federal government assets and ensure economic development, the Kogi State Government has commenced a high-level intervention into the stalled Okporoko-Ohono Vehicle Transit Area (VTA) project.
On December 22, 2025, a joint team of the State Government led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Federal Project Implementation, Chief Emmanuel Obasi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Hon. Makama Daudu, conducted a comprehensive inspection visit to the 41-hectare project site.
They were accompanied by the Local Area Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Edwin Gambo.
Following the inspection, the team held an interface with key representatives of the host community, including Alhaji Abdullahi Ohono, Alhaji Gimba Ibrahim, Hon. Danladi Shaibu among others.
Addressing the representatives of the Community leaders, Chief Obasi noted that the recent harrowing experience of motorists and travelers along the Abuja-Lokoja and Lokoja-Abuja Federal Highways has made the reactivation and completion of the Okporoko-Ohono VTA project an absolute priority.
He referenced the unprecedented yuletide traffic jam between Abaji and Lokoja, particularly around the Geregu-Kotonkarfe axis, where over 10,000 vehicles—the majority being long trucks and heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs)—were forced into a standstill.
”That traffic crisis, which caused immense suffering for thousands of Nigerians, would not have had such a devastating impact if the Okporoko-Ohono Vehicle Transit Areas was functional,” Chief Obasi stated.
“The VTA is designed precisely to absorb such heavy-duty volumes, keeping the main highways clear and moving. According to him, the VTA also remains the most viable solution for evacuating goods from industrial giants in the State like Dangote Cement and Western Ceramics, which would further de-congest the highways. A functional Okporoko-Ohono VTA would act as a “pressure valve,” removing these long trucks from the main artery and ensuring the free flow of vehicles, goods and people on our Federal Highways. The ‘dead capital’ status of the Okporoko-Ohono VTA must be brought to life to prevent a repeat of such gridlock in future.” He added.
Chief Obasi further lamented the vandalism of iron mesh fencing pillars and billboards at the site and noted the unresolved issue of unpaid compensation for Cemetery relocation.
He assured the community that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to holding the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) accountable for their lack of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and their failure to kick-start the project.
Chief Obasi reminded the people of Okporoko-Ohono and environ that Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to ensure the reactivation of the project, hence the visit of the State team to the VTA site and called on them to protect government properties in their area.
On his part, Hon. Makama Daudu noted that when completed, the Okporoko-Ohono VTA will have great economic and commercial impact in the area and Kogi State in general.
According to him, the current failure to provide the facility is a direct bottleneck to national and state commercial and transport activities.
Responding, a community leader, Alhaji Abdullahi Ohono welcomed the State Government’s intervention, agreeing that the project’s delay has become a security and economic burden to the area.
It’s worthy of note that the 41-hectare Okporoko-Ohono VTA project was designed by the Nigerian Shippers Council as a National Pilot Project, intended to revolutionize logistics and cargo handling in North-South corridor.
However, the current reality on the ground contradicts the strategic importance of this mandate. Kogi State Government however fulfilled all her required responsibilities to the Nigerian Shippers Council for the commencement of the Okporoko-Ohono VTA project but till date the land has become a ‘dead capital’
The Kogi State Government calls for continued patience from the Okporoko-Ohono community as Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo takes these firm steps to ensure the Nigerian Shippers Council fulfills its mandate and restores the project as a functional logistics and Socio-Economic hub.
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