Refuse Dump Swallows Karu Road, Triggers Gridlock, Health Risk

…We Struggle To Get Patronage, Shop Owners Lament

A growing dump site has encroached on the major road linking St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New Karu, and Karu Market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leaving only a single lane for motorists and worsening traffic congestion along one of the area’s busiest commercial corridors.

The affected stretch lies along the approximately 2.5-kilometre Nyanya-Karshi Road connecting the church to Karu Market. Under normal traffic conditions, the journey takes about five minutes, but commuters told THE WHISTLER they now spend over an hour navigating the route because refuse has spilt onto the carriageway.

A visit by THE WHISTLER showed that a significant portion of the road has been overtaken by heaps of refuse, reducing what was designed as a dual carriageway to a single lane for vehicles heading towards the market.

The situation has forced motorists travelling in both directions to compete for the remaining stretch of road, while others resort to driving through the opposing lane, creating traffic bottlenecks and increasing the risk of crashes.

Congestion is particularly severe during peak business hours when traders, customers, commercial vehicles and worshippers use the corridor.

Beyond disrupting vehicular movement, the dump site has become a source of environmental and public health concern.

The decomposing waste emits a pungent odour that hangs over nearby shops and business premises, exposing traders, customers and residents to an unpleasant environment daily.

The refuse also sits close to commercial activities, raising concerns over sanitation and waste management in one of the FCT’s busiest commercial hubs.

Motorists who spoke with THE WHISTLER said the road has become increasingly difficult to navigate, with journeys that previously took only a few minutes now lasting more than an hour because of persistent gridlock.

Musa Jibril, a motorist who frequently uses the route, said motorists heading towards the market are often forced into the lane meant for vehicles exiting the market.

“Vehicles heading towards the market frequently divert into the lane meant for outgoing traffic, creating confusion and increasing the risk of crashes as motorists attempt to manoeuvre through the narrowed section,” he said.

THE WHISTLER observed that the lane designated for vehicles exiting the market towards the Nyanya axis has consequently become heavily congested as motorists from both directions struggle to pass through the same corridor.

The situation often leaves commercial drivers, private motorists and tricycle operators trapped in long queues.

Shop owners and traders operating around the road also lamented the impact of the dump site on their businesses, saying the foul smell discourages customers while the daily traffic delays affect the movement of goods and people.

James Udok, who operates a shop along the road, said the recent evacuation of part of the refuse only provided temporary relief.

“Our environment smells because of this dump site. Just recently, a portion of the dump was cleared, and that’s the reason motorists can now navigate the single lane. Before then, only motorcycles or people on foot could pass through that path.

“You have to cover your nose for about five minutes if you are walking. Beyond the health hazard, those of us who own shops close to the dump site struggle to keep customers because of the offensive smell. It has also affected our sales.”

THE WHISTLER also observed that the road is a critical link connecting Karu Market with surrounding residential communities and places of worship, making its current condition particularly troubling.

Karu Market, one of the major commercial centres serving residents of Karu, Nyanya, Jikwoyi and neighbouring communities, attracts thousands of traders and shoppers daily, making the affected corridor a vital route for economic activities.

Business owners called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and relevant waste management authorities to immediately evacuate the refuse, restore the road to its full width and provide a sustainable waste disposal system to prevent a recurrence.

Grace Idowu, another trader, described the dump site as an eyesore and a public health threat.

“Karu is a big town in Abuja, and so is the market. It is disheartening that the dump site is the first sight that welcomes people into the market. The government should address this health-threatening challenge and provide a more suitable waste disposal system.”

With Karu Market attracting thousands of visitors every day, commuters fear that unless urgent intervention is taken, the expanding dump site will continue to disrupt movement, worsen traffic congestion and pose increasing health and safety risks to residents and businesses.