…Calls for urgent rehabilitation
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to urgently begin a comprehensive rehabilitation of failed portions of the Keffi-Masaka-Mararraba-Nyanya-Kugbo Highway, a major road connecting many parts of the country to the Federal Capital Territory through the North-Central and the South-East.
The porthole-riddled road, particularly from Masaka in Nasarawa State, to Abuja, is nightmarish to motorists and commuters, who lose up to five hours daily in gridlock travelling to and fro work or other business in the FCT.
The House passed the resolution on Thursday in Abuja following a motion moved by a member from Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Rep. Gaza Jonathan.
The House’s plenary was presided over by the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Lawmakers directed the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency to ensure compliance with the resolution.
The House called for the rehabilitation as an interim measure to reduce the suffering of motorists and commuters while adding that the affected stretch should be expanded in the long run.
The resolution also included an investigation into the Public Private Partnership arrangement on the Abuja-Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu Highway to give an update on the state of affairs on the project.
Jonathan’s motion reads, “The House Notes the deplorable state of some failed sections of the Masaka–Mararraba–Nyanya–Kugo–Abacha Barrack Federal road.
“Also notes that the Masaka–Mararraba–Nyanya–Kugbo–Abacha road is a major road with frequent vehicular movement and being the only access road through which workers and businessmen and women ply to the Federal Capital Territory to carry out their various activities.
“Aware that this federal road is the only road that connects the North Central and the North East to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“Also aware that about 70 percent of Federal Government workers, business class and inter-state commuters plying the routes spend four to five hours daily to and fro their Offices and other business ventures.
“Concerned that the potholes and failed sections of the road particularly from Masaka, new Nyanya, Mararraba, building material, road safety junction and sharp corner axis have compounded the traffic situation on that road.
“Also concerned that the deplorable state of the road occasioned by erosion as a result of frequent rainfall has created unprecedented hold-ups and incessant accidents on the road.
“Worried that the rainy season has worsened the deplorable state of the road thereby, causing more hardships for residents and the road users who lost quality man-hour in traffic congestion.”