The Kogi State Government has opened up a 5-km alternate route in Nyamanyama Village along Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road to serve as a bye-pass in case the original Ganaja Road becomes impassable due to flooding.
This proactive step was taken by the Kogi State Flood Disaster Response Team to ameliorate possible hardship should the main Ganaja road be obstructed by flood as the waters approach the danger threshold.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had earlier directed the Flood Disaster Response Team to immediately open up an alternate road to ensure that motorists do not suffer from the hardship of possible blockage of the main road by the increasing level of flood waters in the area.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that motorists and passengers were not subjected to hellish experiences on the road.
The chairman of the Flood Disaster Response Team and the Deputy Governor of the State, Joel Salifu Oyibo, said the Response Team had responded swiftly to the directive of the governor to quickly open up an alternate road in the area.
The State Commissioner for Works and a member of the Flood Disaster Response Team, Mohammed Yusuf, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the road.
He stressed that the measure had shown “responsive governance” on the part of the governor.”
Commissioner for Information and Communications and a member of the team, Kingsley Fanwo, who spoke to newsmen after inspecting the work on Sunday, said the flood had reached a devastating stage at the moment.
He noted that the popular Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road remained the gateway to the South East and South South Nigeria, and it is used by hundreds of thousands of commuters every day.
“Over the years, commuters went through hell on that road in flood periods. But this measure is no doubt a saviour. The flood is already devastating. Properties worth billions have already been lost.
“Houses, farmlands and other valuables have been washed away. Only 25 per cent of Ibaji Local Government is above water level right now. The remaining 75 per cent are under the water. Also, the entire Kupa District has been submerged. Ajaokuta, Gegu, Edeha and many other communities are already counting their losses.
“The Federal Government should come to the rescue of Kogi State. Our resources are stretched as we strive to save the situation,” Fanwo said.
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