Ododo Bans Heavy Trucks in Lokoja, Signs Six New Laws to Reform Kogi

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has signed a new law restricting the movement of heavy-duty trucks within Lokoja, the state capital.

The move aims to reduce road accidents, ease traffic, and protect lives in the busy city center.

The governor signed the restriction into law alongside six other bills passed by the Kogi State House of Assembly during a brief ceremony at Government House, Lokoja. The new laws cover key areas such as land management, emergency response, environmental protection, agriculture, local elections, and development in oil-producing communities.

Governor Ododo said the new legislation was urgently needed. Lokoja, he explained, had become increasingly unsafe due to unregulated movement of articulated vehicles, causing traffic gridlock and endangering residents. The truck restriction law is now set to bring relief to commuters and restore order on major roads.

The governor praised the lawmakers for working quickly on the bills, which he said are designed to make government more responsive and accountable. According to him, the collaboration between the executive and legislative arms reflects a shared commitment to build a better Kogi State.

Among the new laws is an amendment to the Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission Law. The revision is expected to provide a clearer framework for managing development in oil-bearing communities, ensuring that resources are used fairly and transparently.

Also signed into law was the re-enacted Kogi State Emergency Management Agency Law. The updated version strengthens disaster preparedness and response systems in the state, making it easier for the government to handle emergencies efficiently.

Governor Ododo also established a new Bureau of Lands to modernise land administration and eliminate the delays in property transactions. He said the agency would improve investor confidence and boost economic activities in the real estate sector.

Environmental issues were not left out. The new Kogi State Climate Change Agency was created to address climate-related challenges and promote a more sustainable future. Ododo said the agency represents a long-term vision for greener living in the state.

On the economic front, the Commodity Exchange and Export Promotion Law was amended to support local farmers and boost Kogi’s participation in both local and international agricultural markets. The governor said this change aligns with his recent deal in Lagos, which seeks to expand Kogi’s agricultural output and empower rural farmers.

He urged residents to take the new laws seriously and warned that no one, regardless of status, would be allowed to violate them. He pledged that implementation would be swift, fair, and without bias.

Ododo also signed the new Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) Law to give local government elections a stronger legal foundation. The law is expected to support more credible and inclusive elections at the grassroots.

Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar, applauded the governor’s leadership and promised continued cooperation from the lawmakers. He said the newly passed laws would fill long-standing legal gaps in several state agencies.

The speaker also called on the governor to support the digitisation of the Assembly’s operations to improve administrative efficiency. He noted that two additional bills are already being prepared for transmission to the executive for assent.