Lokoja-Abuja Road
By Our Correspondent
Federal Government has warned all motorists plying Lokoja-Abuja dual carriageway that its warning to stay off the road because of flood subsists.
Government warned that motorists plying the road should avoid that route for now as flood arising from recent downpours has submerged some parts of the road.
The travel caveat came via the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing which advised all motorists travelling to the North from the South-Western and South-Eastern parts of the country through Kogi State to avoid the Lokoja-Abuja dual carriageway.
The Federal Controller of Works in Kogi, Engr Jimoh Kajogbola gave the advise in a recent statement in Lokoja where he urged motorists to take alternative routes.
According to him, the flooding of River Niger, which has overflowed the Lokoja-Abuja dual carriageway at Koton-Karfe has rendered it dangerous to road users.
The advise came amid scary social media images and videos showing a long queue of vehicles sandwiched between flood water and vehicles, which a commentator described as amphibious, driving through flood waters.
Abuja’s motorists from the South-West are now advised to pass through the Ilorin-Mokwa-Bida road while motorists from the East and South-South are advised to pass through Makurdi-Lafia road.”
For those coming from the Northern parts to the south, they were advised to either take Abuja-Lafia-Makurdi-Otukpo road or Abuja-Bida-Mokwa-Jebba road.
According to the statement, the Federal Government’s directive subsists until the water level recedes, .
The flood has even now affected some parts of the Federal capital as it has submerged more than 20 buildings in Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja.
The flood also submerged Gwagwalada bridge and a hotel.
The massive flooding has even overran Ajaokuta-Ganaja-Lokoja road in Kogi which links the metropolis to the eastern part of the state.
The flooding covered the portion of the road at Ganaja village such that only by canoes could commuters move around.
The flood has brought to the fore the directives attributed to Americans on the need to avoid certain levels of flood water.
According to the admonition attributed to the Americans, “Driving through floodwaters can be fatal. If you must venture out, here’s what you should know to stay safe”.
“First and foremost, do not drive through floodwaters, even if the water does not look deep. If a road is flooded, turn around and find an alternate route”.
“It takes just 12 inches of flowing water to carry off a small car, (and) 18 to 24 inches for larger vehicles,” the US National Weather Service warns.
“The water may also be hiding washed-out road surfaces, electrical wires, debris or other dangerous objects.
“More than half of all flooding deaths nationally occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water, according to the weather service.
“If you’re on foot, you should also avoid flood waters, the weather service adds. Six inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock an adult down. Floodwaters may also contain downed power lines that could still electrocute a person”. Please stay safe.”
