Declare Lokoja-Abuja Road a National Emergency Now — KOCCIMA President
The President of the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Akerejola Demiloye, has again urged the Federal Government to urgently complete the Lokoja-Abuja road, lamenting that Nigerians continue to face untold hardship on the corridor during every festive season.
Dr. Akerejola stated that the chamber had previously assessed the economic losses suffered by businesses as a result of the persistent traffic gridlock at Banda-Nataco.
According to him, the Easter period witnessed huge losses caused by prolonged traffic congestion, while a similar situation has resurfaced ahead of the Eid el-Kabir celebration.
He questioned how long Nigerians and businesses would continue to endure the hardship associated with the deplorable state of the road.
“For how long will Nigerians suffer? For how long will businesses continue to bear these losses?” he asked. “The time to declare a national emergency on the Lokoja-Abuja road is now. The energy spent on politics and political rhetoric concerning the Abuja-Lokoja road should be redirected towards concrete action by the President.”
KOCCIMA estimated that the recurring gridlock costs businesses and commuters about ₦65 million daily.
The chamber explained that the 12-hour traffic standstill at Banda affects approximately 500 heavy-duty trucks and 1,000 passenger vehicles every day.
A breakdown of the losses showed that about ₦47.5 million is lost daily to truck delays arising from additional fuel consumption, idle time, and delivery penalties, while passenger vehicles account for another ₦11.5 million in losses.
The chamber further estimated that spoiled perishable goods account for about ₦6 million daily.
The organization noted that if the congestion persists for 15 days in a month, the direct economic losses could rise to ₦975 million monthly and about ₦11.7 billion annually, excluding indirect losses linked to security risks, health challenges, and missed business opportunities.
Dr. Akerejola described the figures as conservative, stressing that actual losses are likely higher during festive periods when traffic volume increases significantly and the transportation of perishable goods peaks.
He added that KOCCIMA is currently compiling more detailed data from traders and transport unions to arrive at a more accurate estimate of the economic impact.
The KOCCIMA president reiterated the chamber’s commitment to serving as a bridge between the business community and government by advocating solutions that would protect commercial activities and ensure smooth movement along the critical Lokoja-Abuja corridor.
