Abuja-Lokoja Road

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has 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 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.

It also brought to the fore, on social media, directives attributed to Americans the need to avoid certain levels of flood water.

The Federal Controller of Works in Kogi, Engr Jimoh Kajogbola gave the advise in a statement on Wednesday in Lokoja and urged the 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.

“Abuja-bound motorists from the South-West are 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, he advised them to either take Abuja-Lafia-Makurd-Otukpa road or Abuja-Bida-Mokwa-Jebba road.

The directive, he added, subsists until the water level recedes.

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 8contain downed power lines that could still electrocute a person”. Please stay safe.”