The Kogi State Government has commended the Federal Ministry of Works for closing the Edia Koton-Karfe Bridge along Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway.
The State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo gave the commendation in a statement by his Special Adviser on Federal Project Implementation in the State, Chief Emmanuel Obasi.
Governor Ododo praised the Federal Ministry of Works, under the watch of the workaholic Minister of works, Engineer David Umahi for taking proactive decision to close down the Edia Koto-Karfe Bridge along Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway to traffic recently.
He said the dangerous spots that have developed on the bridge were not only threatening the smooth vehicular movement across the Bridge but also endangering the lives of Nigerians that crisscross the always-busy Highway on daily basis.
The Governor noted that the bridge is at the verge of imminent collapse at the centre, and closing it to traffic was the best decision at this point in time instead of waiting for the disaster of loosing human lives and properties when the bridge collapses.
According to him, both the Reinforced and Asphaltic Concrete overlay at some spots along the bridge have perforated, exposing the already-rusted and dismembered iron reinforcement used in constructing the bridge.
He said no responsive Minister will wait for disaster to occur before taking proactive steps to forestall such occurrence and appreciated the Minister for acting on time.
Governor Ododo appealed to the Minister of Works to also take the same proactive measure to direct the Contractor responsible for the Rehabilitation of Section four of the Abuja-Lokoja bound lane that houses the Edia Koto-Karfe Bridges to also commence the repair of the closed bridge in the same vein.
He used the opportunity to call on the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Nigerian Police in Kogi Local Government Area to station their men at both ends of the Lokoja-Abuja bound Edia Koto-Karfe Bridge to forestall traffic jam and collision.
The Governor also lamented that many of the Federal roads in Kogi State are gradually becoming unmotorable and need urgent attention.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing immediate rehabilitation of federal roads across the country, saying the Itobe-Ajaokuta-Okene Federal Road among others is in very deplorable condition which need urgent attention.
