Lokoja: The Federal Government has received commendation for the completion of the side walls on the River Oyi-Gada-biu bridge in Apata, situated in the Lokoja Local Government Area. The commendation was made by Olu Apata, Oba Frederick Balogun, who inspected the bridge and described the construction work as expertly done. The traditional ruler emphasized that the newly constructed walls are expected to significantly reduce road traffic crashes on the bridge along the Lokoja-Obajana road.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the federal government initiated the construction project through the Ministry of Works with the aim of easing traffic and curbing crashes. The contractor responsible for the concrete work completed the side walls after commencing work roughly two weeks prior. Oba Balogun expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Works, Mr. Dave Imahi, for prioritizing the construction project intended to prevent vehicles from falling over the bridge into the river.
Oba Balogun has a personal history o
f rehabilitating the bridge for several years due to its dilapidated condition, which posed a significant risk to motorists. He recalled that only in 2022 did the Federal Government’s attention turn to the bridge after a publication detailed the rehabilitation efforts carried out in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The bridge had long been recognized as an accident-prone spot on the Lokoja-Obajana highway, and the repair was initiated by Oba Balogun in partnership with the FRSC, given the substantial loss of lives and property in the area.
The royal father further explained that the bridge’s poor condition was due to heavy traffic and the high volume of water, necessitating immediate repairs to prevent road crashes and safeguard lives and property. He stressed the importance of community welfare, stating that it is crucial to mitigate suffering wherever possible.
Oba Balogun also noted the tragic loss of community members on the road, particularly at the bridge, highlighting the spot
‘s perilous nature. He pointed out that when the road deteriorates, it becomes a death trap for both motorists and commuters, underscoring the bridge’s crucial role as the only good road linking the North and the South. This concern motivated him to collaborate with the FRSC and even the Dangote Group to ensure the bridge’s repair to prevent further accidents on the busy road.
He acknowledged that the government alone cannot address all infrastructural issues, hence the proactive approach taken by him and his subjects when the bridge’s condition deteriorates.