EASTER HOLIDAY GRIDLOCK LEAVES MOTORISTS STRANDED ALONG ABUJA–LOKOJA HIGHWAY
Read Time:1 Minute, 54 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
A severe traffic gridlock has left numerous vehicles stranded for hours along the Abuja–Lokoja highway as travelers head out for the Easter holidays.
Our correspondent reported on Friday that the congestion, widely regarded as a recurring issue during festive periods, has caused prolonged delays on the major route connecting the Federal Capital Territory with parts of the North Central and southern regions.
A similar incident occurred in December, when many motorists were said to have spent up to four days on the road.
Several affected drivers attributed the situation to impatience among road users and the deteriorating condition of sections of the highway, which has remained under construction for nearly two decades.
One of the travelers, Abdu Yekeem, an Abuja-based worker en route to Ibadan, said the experience was all too familiar.
He explained that he has repeatedly been caught in the congestion, noting that he has been “unfortunate to endure this gridlock over the past two years” while traveling home during both Christmas and Easter holidays.
Another motorist, Abayomi Adewale, claimed he had been on the road since Thursday afternoon when he left Abuja on his way to Ado Ekiti, but as of Friday, he was still stuck on the road at River Niger bridge.
“I will head back to Abuja once I am able to get out of this gridlock,” Adewale said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State, Mohammed Gambo, faulted both the federal and state governments over the condition of the road in an interview with our correspondent.
He alleged that the highway has been neglected for about 20 years due to insufficient funding and the involvement of incompetent contractors. “I spent seven hours on the road while travelling to Abuja on Thursday,” Gambo said.
Gambo described the route as a critical gateway connecting the Federal Capital Territory to the North Central region and parts of the South, facilitating the movement of food supplies, fuel, and manufactured goods. He warned that conditions could deteriorate further as Easter travel peaks.
“With Easter in progress, many Nigerians will spend a significant part of the holiday on the road. Our senators and other lawmakers must work with relevant authorities to ensure urgent intervention, as the hardship is becoming unbearable,” he added.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0