Residents of Mararaba, an outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and other road users are facing a difficult period as traffic gridlock worsens in the area.
A densely populated area, Mararaba, plays host to many civil servants and business owners working in the FCT, who find accommodation relatively cheaper.
It is also one of the gate-passes for commuters from the Southern part of the country to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, contributing to its reputation as having one of the busiest road channels, with traffic gridlock stretching as much as 11 kilometres from Abuja during rush hours.
In reports that the demolition of the popular Mararaba Bridge and ongoing construction of a new twin flyover project along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, has worsened the situation.
Recall that the popular Mararaba Bridge was brought down some months ago to create space for a planned overhead bridge, leaving commuters heading towards the Keffi and the FCT axis in a more difficult situation.
many commuters complained of the impact of the road construction on them.
Some said with the construction equipment narrowing the passage to and fro the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, thousands were forced into a painfully slow crawl as there is no other alternative.
A driver who was stuck for over an hour described the experience as frustrating.
“Immediately after Sani Abacha Bus Terminal at One Man Village, shortly before Mararaba, everything stopped moving.
“The traffic, which has become a daily routine now, didn’t ease until the police checkpoint, the boundary that demarcates the FCT and Nasarawa state,” he said.
On his part, a commuter, simply identified as Sunny, said the absence of proper traffic management worsened the situation.
“Only a few traffic officers have been visible, leaving drivers to navigate the chaotic stretch on their own. Poor lighting in certain sections also raised fears of potential accidents,” he stated.
Another commuter, who gave her name as Nkechi Ikechukwu, said that she has to wake up earlier than before so as to beat the already overstretched traffic gridlock.
“Mararaba is known for its appalling gridlock, especially in the morning when people are going to work and then in the evening when people are coming back from work. You know that this axis holds a very considerable percentage of Abuja workers.
“Ever since this construction started, I have been waking up by 4am to start preparing for work, unlike the 5am which I used to,” he said.
Speaking also, Abdul Mustapha called on authorities to coordinate better with construction companies, provide timely information, and deploy more personnel to manage traffic during roadworks.
“My own is to just urge the Federal Government to make the construction companies speed up with their work to alleviate the suffering of the motorists and commuters.
“It’s quite tiring that you will leave your office after the stress of the day and still come to face this heavy traffic here,” he added.