The Nyanya-Mararaba-One Man Village Highway, a critical artery connecting Abuja to over 10 states including Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, and Adamawa, has descended into a nightmare for commuters. For better parts of the day, this three-kilometre stretch is locked in a traffic gridlock of epic proportions.
The cause of this unsavoury development is plain to see: the road is dilapidated, riddled with large potholes particularly at the Mararaba market under bridge and the building materials market. Compounding the misery is a Federal Road Safety Corps checkpoint situated in the midst of this hellish traffic chaos.
Thousands of people transiting daily to work, businesses, and other engagements in town are held captive in this traffic gridlock for hours on end. The wasted man-hours are staggering, and the toll on the economy and individual productivity is significant. Breakdowns of vehicles on this stretch are common, adding to the woes of commuters. Worse still, the situation has made the area a haven for phone snatchers and vandals who take advantage of the slowed traffic to carry out their nefarious activities.
It is noteworthy that one of the lanes of this highway has been reconstructed, raising the question: what’s delaying the reconstruction of the second lane? Given the importance of this road in connecting Abuja to multiple states and facilitating trade, commerce, and social interactions across a vast region, the need for urgent intervention is clear.
Summit Post Newspaper hereby calls on the Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, to quickly intervene to ameliorate this nasty nightmare. The Minister has the mandate and the capacity to expedite actions that would alleviate the suffering of thousands of daily commuters on this highway. Fixing the Nyanya-Mararaba-One Man Village Highway is not just a matter of infrastructure maintenance; it’s about restoring dignity to commuters, ensuring safety, boosting economic activities, and curbing criminal activities that thrive in the conditions of stalled traffic.
The people of Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa, and other states connected by this highway deserve better. They deserve a road that allows for safe and efficient travel, not one that turns every journey into a battle against time, potholes, and traffic chaos. Engr Dave Umahi must act swiftly to address this issue. The status quo is unacceptable.
The daily gridlock on this three-kilometre stretch has far-reaching impacts. Wasted man-hours translate to lost productivity and economic losses. Breakdowns and slowed traffic encourage criminal activities like phone snatching and vandalism. Thousands suffer daily due to hours spent in traffic instead of being productive or with family.
Summit Post Newspaper urges the Minister of Works to prioritise the completion of repairs on the Nyanya-Mararaba-One Man Village Highway. Expedite the reconstruction of the second lane. Address potholes and other road defects causing gridlocks. Consider traffic management solutions to mitigate congestion, possibly by adjusting the placement or operation of the FRSC checkpoint.
By acting decisively, Engr Dave Umahi can bring relief to thousands of commuters and contribute to the economic well-being of the regions connected by this vital highway.