FRSC works out alternative routes to Abuja/Lokoja expressway

The Federal Road Safety Commission says it has worked out alternative routes to and from Abuja to lessen the agony of motorists, following the temporary closure of the flooded Lokoja-Abuja Road.
In a statement on Monday, the Deputy Corps Public Education Officer of the commission, Mr Bisi Kazeem urged motorists driving from Lagos and wishing to use Okene-Lokoja-Abuja route, to divert to Okene-Ajaokuta-Ayangba-Ankpa-Makurdi Lafia-Akwanga-Abuja route.
Those coming from the South East should use Otukpa-Makurdi route, and those driving from Abuja to Lokoja should use Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi-Ankpa-Okene route.
He said the commission had also deployed more personnel in those routes to forestall traffic gridlock.
It would be recalled that lives and property have been lost in the floods, while many buildings remain submerged. Motorists and commuters have also been stranded for days in Lokoja.
In the meantime, reports say 40 of the over 2000 passengers trapped in traffic on the Abuja-Okene expressway have been hospitalized.
The FRSC has shut off the road to prevent further mishaps over the safety of motorists plying the route, owing to massive flooding.
According to the corps Public Education Officer, Corps Commander Jonas Agwu, another affected corridor is the 4KM stretch between Lokoja and Garaje village in Kogi state, which has also been taken over by flood.
The agency also said “there has been deployment of personnel and logistics along the affected routes for intensive traffic control and route diversion”.
The road marshals have warned motorists to use alternative routes and to avoid the affected corridors in view of traffic hazards resulting from the flood.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Red Cross has come to the rescue of displaced residents in Ibaji area of Kogi state where floods have wreaked havoc on the lives of residents in that area.
The humanitarian agency says it has deployed three boats to the area to help victims of the flood who are taking refuge on tree tops.
The Nigerian Navy, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State’s Ministry of Environment are also involved in the operation.
Our previous report:The only road connecting the southern part to the FCT, the Abuja-Lokoja has been shut down by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) following the rising flood that has inundated the road.

Concerned over the safety of road users plying the Abuja-Lokoja route, the FRSC blocked the Lokoja axis of the highway, the roads marshal announced in a statement on its the website.

Coming on the heels of a 3-day siege by motorists, resulting from  heavy flooding of a section of the Nataco junction of Lokoja and Banda village, feelers from the Corps indicate that the flood has resurfaced again thereby rendering the road totally impassable.
According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Corps Commander Jonas Agwu, another affected corridor is the 4km stretch between Lokoja and Garaje village , which has been equally taken over by heavy flood.
Consequently, the FRSC has undertaken massive deployment of personnel and logistics along the affected routes for intensive traffic control and route diversion while motorists are strictly warned to use alternative routes and to avoid the affected corridors in view of inherent traffic hazards resulting from the flood.
“Pursuant to this arrangement, no vehicle will be allowed through these routes even as the Corps solicits the co-operation and understanding of motorists passing through Lokoja town” the stated noted.
Major economic activities along the Abuja-Lokoja road have been paralyzed since last Friday, as the flood has cut off the route. Though temporary diversions have created to ease gridlock along the route, traffic officials and emergency workers are having hectic moments in controlling stranded motorists.