By Ogalla Daniel
Kogi State Government has taken proactive measures in line with the resolutions of the State House of Assembly on the need to construct an alternative route to convey students and other commuters to and from the campus of Federal University Lokoja.
This is contained in a Press statement signed and made available to journalists in Lokoja by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Yabagi Mohammed.
The statement quoted the State Commissioner for Works, Engr Muhammed Yusuf, to have made this known when he accompanied the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Yusuf, on an inspection visit to the FUL campus and Agbaja community in Felele area where the alternative route would be constructed.
He assured the people that the alternative route would be completed in no distant time to avert the continued loss of lives being experienced on the Felele highway which has claimed the lives of several students, particularly the loss of six lives on the 17th of February, 2025 which has led to the closure of the institution.
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The Speaker, Rt Hon Yusuf, on Wednesday, led other government officials to the campus of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), to explore the agreed alternative route to convey students to and from the school.
Construction of an alternative route was part of the resolution of the House at its Tuesday plenary following a motion of urgent public importance by the member representing Lokoja I State Constituency, Hon Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani on the incessant Felele highway accidents which has claimed the lives of several students of the institutions along that route.
The Speaker, who was accompanied by the mover of Tuesday’s motion, also had the member representing Ijumu State Constituency, Hon Omotayo Adeleye on the entourage with the State Commissioner for Works and the Director General of Kogi State Roads Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA), Engr Yunusa Alhassan being part of the entourage.
The Commissioner for Works gave assurances of the new alternative route while reacting to the essence of the visit.
The Executive Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, who is the Chief Security Officer for the Local Government was also part of those that accompanied the Speaker to the University’s campus.
Speaking on the visit, Rt Hon Yusuf, said it was for the purpose of actioning the prayers of the motion presented in the floor of the house.
He said being from that State Constituency – Lokoja II, he has always been worried about the occurrence of accidents on that road, and that the decision of the executive arm of government to swiftly swing into action shows the commitment of the present administration to prioritise safety of lives above all else.
The Speaker called on the Commissioner for Works to do all that is within his power to see that the alternative route was constructed on time, to forestall continued loss of lives and give confidence to the students, parents and other stakeholders who have their children studying at the Federal University Lokoja and the State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
In his reaction to the visit, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwunmi, appreciated the delegation for standing by the University community and assured them that the management is committed to every solution that would ensure the safety of lives and return the students back to campus.
On his part, the Lokoja Local Government Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, also expressed appreciation to the Governor Ododo and the Speaker, Rt Hon Aliyu for prioritising the safety of the students and other motorists plying the highway.
