From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Apata Community members on Wednesday undertook repair of Gadabiu bridge, an accident prone spot along Obajana – Lokoja road in Kogi.
Our Correspondent reports in Apata that the repair was the initiative of the Olu of Apata, Oba (Dr) Fredrick Balogun in synergy with the FRSC considering the colossal loss of lives and property along that highway.
The Monarch explained that the bridge has always been in bad shape because of the high volume and/or heavy traffic along the road, which demands immediate attention for repair to avoid road crashes and loss of lives and property.
“We lost so many of our community members on this road particularly this very spot or bridge due to it’s dilapidated nature.
“As a leader and royal father, the welfare of my people is paramount, especially any area where they are suffering, I should be able to mitigate it.
“It’s so pathetic and quite unfortunate that my Community and the country as a whole has lost precious innocent lives of road users, both motorists and commutters to this very bad spot.
“Therefore, if the road goes bad and it’s not quickly fixed, it becomes a death trap to both motorists and commutters more so that this is the only good road that links the North with the South.
“This is exactly what ginger me to always synergies with FRSC and even Dangote Group, to ensure that the bridge is fixed to avert Carnages on the busy Obajana- Lokoja road,” he explained.
Balogun noted, “government alone can’t do everything for us, which explains why I and my subjects always rise to the occasion once we noticed that the bridge has gone bad again.”
The Olu of Apata, however, called on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Kogi Road Maintenance Agency to step up efforts at helping in repairs and maintenance of the bridge and the entire highway.
While stating that life is precious and valuable, the Monarch commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his pragmatic action at ensuring the security and safety of Kogi residents through his good policies and programmes.
He thanked the Unit Commander, Zariagi FRSC Unit Command, ACC Moses Odogiyon, and his Officers and men for the support and cooperation rendered at fixing the Gadabiu bridge at last.
The mornach appealed to motorist to always exercise patience while on the highway especially when they get to the tepaired bridge, which he said has become a death trap.
Also speaking, Odogiyon, expressed gladness that at last they have been able to fix the bridge, which would go along at averting further canages on that highway.
“I am so glad this bridge is fixed today, Wednesday, March 9 considering the five fatal accidents recorded in just a short time of my arrival in this unit commander in late December.
“We are very grateful to the Olu of Apata for this patriotic gesture of saving lives and property that move across this bridge on daily basis, ” he stated.
Odogiyon also advised motorists to always obey traffic rules and regulations and to always be patient knowing that life has no duplicate.
According to him, “Only those that live that celebrate and enjoy therefore don’t let people celebrate in your absence as motorists