The House of Representatives has requested the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to deploy more police officers on key hotspots along the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway and other high-risk routes to ensure the safety of travelers during the holiday season.
Additionally, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Works to promptly reopen sections of the Gwagwalada–Abaji–Kotonkarfe–Lokoja Expressway that are currently closed to traffic, to alleviate congestion and enhance vehicular movement during the Yuletide.
The resolutions were passed on Tuesday, after the consideration of a motion sponsored by Rep. Danladi Aguye, who emphasized the importance of the Abuja–Lokoja Highway as a critical economic route connecting the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the North-Central region and other parts of the country.
Moving the motion, Rep. Aguye highlighted the highway’s significant role in transporting goods, petroleum products, agricultural produce, and commuters between Abuja, Kogi State, and neighboring states.
However, he pointed out that the road has been deteriorating due to inadequate maintenance, damaged sections, erosion, and recurring flooding.
The lawmaker expressed concern that the poor state of the highway has resulted in frequent accidents, loss of lives and property, extended traffic jams, and heightened insecurity, leaving stranded motorists vulnerable to criminal attacks.
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He also criticized the slow progress of rehabilitation efforts by the Federal Ministry of Works, noting that certain sections of the road become nearly impassable during the rainy season, which hampers economic activities and national development.
In passing the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite the ongoing construction and rehabilitation efforts on the Abaji–Kotonkarfe–Lokoja route to ensure safe passage for road users.
The lawmakers also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to enhance traffic management and safety enforcement to minimize accidents along the affected areas.
In an amendment proposed by Rep. Amobi Ogah, the House resolved that the Federal Ministry of Works, in conjunction with the House Committee on Appropriation, should ensure that the complete rehabilitation and expansion of the Abuja–Lokoja Highway is properly included in the 2026 budget.
Furthermore, the House mandated the inspector-general of police to deploy security personnel along the expressway and other highways around Lokoja to address security concerns.
The House Committee on Legislative Compliance was assigned the responsibility of ensuring the effective implementation of these resolutions.
