By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Worried over the regular gridlock and heavy traffic jam, House of Representatives has mandated the Federal Ministry of Works to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the Niger State government, security agencies and transport unions to ensure effective traffic management and control along Niger State and environs.
The lawmakers also directed the ministry to immediately conduct an emergency assessment of major roads, engage the contractor handling the project to ascertain the reasons for delay in execution.
To this end, the lawmakers urged the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to immediately deploy personnel and resources to complement the efforts of the Niger State government which has so far constituted a taskforce to alleviate the incessant gridlock.
The resolutions were sequel to a motion on ‘Urgent Need to Address the Gridlock On Suleja-Lambata-Bida Highway In Niger State That Could Lead to Loss of Lives and Breakdown of Law and Order’ sponsored by Saidu Abdullahi and nine other lawmakers.
The House noted that for the past six days, an unprecedented 18-kilometer gridlock between Lambata and Suleja has crippled the flow of traffic on Suleja-Lambata-Bida highway, holding vehicles – tankers, lorries, trucks and trailers – and motorists hostage.
“This road is one of the busiest and most critical federal highways in the nation, connecting and facilitating the movement of people, goods and services, including essential and perishable items between northern and western states. The gridlock was caused by some major potholes along Maje to Dikko Junction, a key artery to the nation’s capital city.
“In the light of this situation, small vehicles on emergency journeys have been compelled to take alternative bushy routes via Izom to Suleja; a route fraught with security threats.
“Worried that the current situation has resulted in huge losses in valuable man-hours, impacted negatively on perishable goods especially agricultural produce, posing severe implications on the economy of the nation and has also heightened the risk of accidents and made the area prone to criminal activities, thereby compromising the safety of commuters and residents alike. “
The House, while adopting the motion, also mandated its Committee on Works and Legislative Compliance to ensure strict compliance of the resolutions reached.
