Motorists lament gridlock on Abuja–Lokoja highway
Motorists have expressed frustration over heavy gridlock on the Gwagwalada–Abuja–Lokoja highway. Those who spoke with Abuja Metro said the traffic congestion, which began last week, has caused untold hardship for travellers. They attributed the situation to the closure of the second bridge due to ongoing construction on the other lane across the river. Mr. Benjamin […]
Motorists lament gridlock on Abuja–Lokoja highway
Motorists have expressed frustration over heavy gridlock on the Gwagwalada–Abuja–Lokoja highway.
Those who spoke with Abuja Metro said the traffic congestion, which began last week, has caused untold hardship for travellers. They attributed the situation to the closure of the second bridge due to ongoing construction on the other lane across the river.
Mr. Benjamin Alfred, a motorist, said he had been stuck in the gridlock for several hours, adding that some commuters were forced to alight from vehicles and continue their journeys on foot.
He said travellers from the eastern and northern parts of the country were also trapped for long periods despite efforts by security operatives to control the traffic.
Another motorist, Ahmed Ibrahim, who was conveying passengers from Zuba to Lokoja, said he was held up for over 30 minutes due to the closure of the second bridge by the construction firm.
“Since last week, the traffic jam has been terrible because vehicles are being diverted to a single lane after the second bridge was closed down,” he said.
Our reporter, who was held in the gridlock for nearly 36 minutes, observed that vehicles coming from the Abuja and Lokoja directions were forced to share one lane.
It was further observed that motorists exiting Gwagwalada town to make a U-turn at the Kuje junction also contributed to the traffic build-up.
Some passengers alighted with their luggage to board motorcycles, while others trekked to their workplaces.
Security personnel—including mobile policemen, civil defence operatives, and FRSC officials—were seen controlling traffic to ease movement.
A construction worker at the site, who identified himself as Samuel Orji, said the second bridge was closed to allow the company work on a section of it.
“There is heavy equipment the company needs to move across the bridge, but we discovered the weight may affect the structure,” he said.
He added that the bridge work would be completed within two weeks.
“That is why the road has been diverted to a single lane temporarily,” he said.