In a bold move to address the daily harrowing experience of motorists and commuters along the Nyanya-Mararaba boundary corridor, the Federal Government has urged the contractor working on Abuja-Keffi highway to provide immediate palliatives on the bad section of road.
Minister of State for Works, Barrister Muhammad Bello Goronyo, gave the directive during an inspection of the road which has caused so much damage to vehicles, disrupt transportation, business activities, and general livelihoods around the axis.
The Minister, who lamented the hardship motorists and members of the public face plying that section of the road, however admitted that the heavy gridlock on the three kilometres of the section will make it difficult to expedite the repairs.
Consequently, he tasked the contractor to work even at night to make the ongoing rehabilitation works seamless
Noting that over 50 percent of the entire road project has been completed with the outbound lane from Abuja already done, Barrister Goronyo said, “Already, 41 kilometers has been completed up to the binder, meaning 50 percent completion and the Abuja bound section which is troubled.
“Where we have a problem is three kilometres and we realise that there is a lot of water that is flooding this area.
“So, a lot of people coming from the Keffi-Nyanya axis are experiencing a lot of problems to cross into Abuja City and we have directed the contractor that is handling this project to immediately come and do some palliative measures and as well as provide a route where he will be able to channel the water in order to have a good road and ensure the passengers and commuters plying this road have easy access.
“But we cannot do it in the afternoon or in the morning. So, we directed that the contractor should concentrate on doing this job at night so that we will be able to finish it in time so people will have ease of travel.”
Speaking further on the importance of completing the repairs on schedule, the Minister said, “Let me say it very clearly that the contractor must ensure that he mobilises fully to this site to maintain this road because there is heavy traffic on this axis and we are not happy with the way and manner people are suffering on this road.”
Goronyo, who described the road as a major traffic corridor designed to handle high volumes of vehicles with the people enjoying ease of movement, said, “There are a lot of civil servants flying this road and we are concerned about it.
“The completion period is sacrosanct within the time stipulated. So, that is why as a Ministry, we’re here to assess the level of work that is ongoing and then to also give clear directives going forward.”
Forefront News correspondent notes that with gullies stretching from the popular Abacha road axis through the building materials market in Mararaba to the Police Checkpoint in Nyanya, it has been nightmarish experience for many motorists and those coming into Abuja, the nation’s capital and returning home at the close of business.
