By Faridat Salifu
Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has opened a 5-kilometre alternative route in Nyamanyama village along the Ganaja-Ajaokuta road, to enable travellers have easy journey through the state as flooding has submerged some communities and disrupted vehicular movement.
This newly opened bypass aims to ease the plight of travellers heading to the northern region from the south, as rising floodwaters have made the main route impassable.
The idea to create the alternate route was brought forward by the Kogi State Flood Disaster Response Team, led by Deputy Governor Joel Salifu Oyibo, as water levels in the area rapidly approach critical levels.
Consequently, Governor Ododo directed the team to act swiftly in providing an alternate passage to prevent motorists from being stranded by the floods.
Speaking on the development, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that travellers do not face undue hardship due to the worsening flood situation. He emphasised that mitigating the effects of the disaster remains a top priority for his government.
The State Commissioner for Works and a member of the Flood Disaster Team, Mohammed Yusuf, expressed confidence in the progress of the newly established route.
He described the measure as evidence of “responsive governance,” demonstrating the state’s proactive approach to the crisis.
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During an inspection of the alternate road, Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, highlighted the gravity of the flood situation.
Fanwo noted that the Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road, a vital gateway connecting the southeast and south-south regions of Nigeria, is heavily trafficked by thousands of commuters daily.
“In previous years, travellers endured severe hardship on this road during flood seasons, but the new route is a much-needed relief,” Fanwo said.
He also stressed the widespread devastation caused by the floods, with properties worth billions already lost and vast areas submerged. “Only 25 percent of Ibaji Local Government remains above water, while the rest, along with districts like Kupa and areas including Ajaokuta, Gegu, and Edeha, are underwater.”
Fanwo appealed for urgent federal intervention, noting that Kogi State’s resources are stretched thin as it battles to manage the disaster and provide relief to affected communities.
