FG Orders Night Construction To End Abuja-Keffi Gridlock

The federal government has directed contractors handling the reconstruction and expansion of the Abuja-Keffi Expressway to embark on night construction in order to reduce traffic congestion along the Abuja-bound section of the road.

Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Goronyo, who issued the directive on Thursday during an inspection tour of the project, said the completion timeline remains unchanged despite challenges.

He explained that the most critical challenge is on the Abuja-bound section covering about three kilometres, which has been plagued by flooding and severe traffic.

Goronyo said the government understands the plight of commuters and has therefore ordered the contractor to adopt immediate measures, including night works, to ease the hardship faced by road users.

“As you are aware, this work started in December and is supposed to be completed by a specific date. It’s a 43.6-kilometre road from the Keffi bound. Already, 41 kilometres have been completed up to Binder, therefore 50 per cent completion.

“This trouble area, as I said, is precisely three kilometres, and we realised that there is a lot of water that is flooding these three kilometres from this area. Many people from the Keffi and Nyanya axis are experiencing numerous problems crossing into Abuja city.

“We immediately directed the contractor that is handling this project to come and do some palliative measures and then to provide a route where you will be able to pass the water, to be able to have a more trouble-free route so that passengers and commuters that are plying this route will 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 that people will have ease of travel,” he said.

The minister also warned that the ministry would not tolerate further delays, insisting that the road project is too important to Nigerians to be compromised.

“Let me say very clearly that the contractor must ensure that he mobilises fully to this site to maintain this route because there is heavy traffic on this axis, and we’re not happy with the way and manner in which people are suffering on this route.

On the timely delivery of the project, Goronyo said, “The completion period is sacrosanct. They must complete it within the time stipulated.

“We are here as a ministry, with the controller, the acting director of the North Central Zone, and the contractor, to assess the level of work and give clear directives that we don’t want to see this persistent hold-up.”

The minister, however, acknowledged that the Keffi-bound section had recorded significant progress but emphasised that the Abuja-bound portion requires intensified efforts.