Nigerians want FG to expedite action on Abuja-Keffi Road
…As Kugbo residents clamour for pedestrian bridges
By Taofeek LAWAL, Abuja
Following incessant traffic congestion along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway which has continued to affect man hour and take its toll on the nation’s economy, Nigerians have appealed to Federal Government to accelerate action on the ever busy road that link many states in the country and also serve as a gateway to the Federal Capital Territory.
The Mogadishu Barracks-Kugbo-Nyanya portion of the expressway has been dotted by gullies, potholes and bumps and despite the ongoing works and the expansion being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the failed portion of the road has been abandoned.
The road expansion which started since the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was re-awarded in 2018 by the current government however it is very difficult to notice any appreciable impacts three years on. Nigerians most especially Abuja residents have expressed worries over the slow pace of work on the road now that the raining season has commenced.
They however advised the Federal Government to deploy all within its power to see to the speedy completion of the road within the stipulated time frame. Some Nigerians who spoke to Nigerian NEWSDIRECT under the condition of anonymity questioned the sincerity of the government on why a road construction would drag long for that number of years when successive governments have made budget provision for it and others across the country.
“It is only in Nigeria that the government fails to deliver on its mandate and promises to the citizens. Despite humongous budgetary provisions that have been allocated to road construction across the country, the government has failed woefully to meet the demands, yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians who elected them into office. I have been to neighbouring countries like Ghana, Togo and others and the governments over there have shown intent and purpose to serve their citizens. For crying out loud, the Abuja-Keffi Expressway is one of the busiest in Nigeria and its economic importance can never be overemphasized. So, what could have taken the government donkey years to deliver on a project that will add more value to the economy,” a respondent said.
In a related development, Kugbo residents have called for the inclusion of two pedestrian bridges in the ongoing road project to save their lives and that of their children who cross the expressway while going to school. Human traffic at the Kugbo axis of the road has also contributed significantly to vehicular movement over the years.
The Federal Government on Tuesday through the Minister of Works and Housing announced the introduction of the Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI), as part of efforts to improve the stock of infrastructure as regard roads across the country. The 122km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga is one of the 12 roads captured in the road initiative.
