Daniel Otera
Hundreds of commuters were stranded for hours on Wednesday morning along the Ado–Mararaba–Keffi expressway following a partial road closure due to overnight construction work.
The Journal observed a standstill that extended across key junctions, forcing many residents of Ado, New Nyanya, One Man Village, and Masaka to abandon their vehicles and trek long distances in order to reach workplaces in Abuja.
The cause of the gridlock was linked to a section of the road undergoing expansion. After contractors working overnight completed a fresh layer of pavement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reportedly parked a patrol van across the newly completed section to prevent motorists from damaging the work, thereby restricting movement to a single lane.
The resulting disruption left commuters caught in a frustrating bottleneck. One of them, Mr. Okay Muhammad, who resides in Ado and works at a bar in Gwarinpa, told The Journal:
“I have been stuck in this traffic since 7 a.m. The time is running, and I don’t know when I will get to work. This traffic is really affecting me.”
Others expressed dismay over the timing of the roadworks. A civil servant commuting to Wuse, who preferred to remain anonymous, said:
“They should have done this road during the dry season, not now that rain is falling. I’ve spent over two hours here and I’m not even halfway.”
Aside from the delays, the situation was compounded by a surge in transportation costs. Commercial motorcyclists (commonly referred to as okada riders) capitalised on the gridlock to charge exorbitant fares. A ride that usually cost ₦300–₦500 reportedly surged to ₦1,000, with many stranded commuters left with no alternative but to pay.
The gridlock came just days after the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, inspected the Abuja–Keffi expressway expansion and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to completing the project by June 2026.
Speaking during the inspection, Goronyo commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising the corridor, describing it as a “critical infrastructure that crisscrosses several states.” The 87.3-kilometre dual carriageway is part of a larger road project extending from Abuja to Port Harcourt, passing through Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Abia, Imo, and Rivers states.
“We have completed the road from Keffi to Makurdi, and the Mararaba to Keffi stretch is now ongoing,” said the Minister. “By June next year, the entire stretch from Abuja to Port Harcourt should be completed.”
The contract, valued at ₦73.9 billion, was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Nigeria Limited.
The Minister disclosed that approximately 42% of the work has been completed since construction began in December 2024.
The Commercial Manager of CHEC, Mr. Ronald Liao, attributed the slow progress to high daytime traffic along the corridor.
“The traffic flow from Masaka to Mararaba is extremely heavy. We’ve had no choice but to work at night. It’s a big task, but with the help of the ministry, FRSC, and other agencies, we’re making steady progress,” Liao explained.
Federal Controller of Works for the FCT, Yakubu Usman, provided technical details, noting that the road design involves a two-way, six-lane structure with outer shoulders.
He added that the stone base and binder course are about 80% complete, and work is ongoing on the median drains and rigid shoulders.
“We’ve partnered with FRSC and law enforcement agencies to manage traffic flow, particularly in densely populated areas. We also shifted critical work to night-time to reduce disruption to daily activities,” he said.
For many road users, however, the long-term benefits feel distant compared to the daily inconvenience.
A teacher travelling from New Nyanya told The Journal she had to cancel her first class of the day after spending nearly three hours in traffic.
“This is my only route to town. If I had known, I would have left at 5 a.m.,” she said.
Another commuter, Mr. Aliyu Yakubu, criticised the lack of proper traffic diversion notices.
“We understand development takes time, but they should have planned better. A public notice, traffic marshals, and alternative routes could have reduced this chaos.”
As construction continues, many residents along the corridor are urging the government and contractors to adopt more commuter-sensitive methods, including weekend or overnight-only work and improved communication strategies.
Despite the setbacks, officials maintain that the road expansion will ultimately reduce travel time, stimulate economic activity, and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
The Ministry of Works insists that funding will not be an obstacle, with all verified contractor claims expected to be paid promptly.
Yet for residents of Ado, Masaka, Mararaba, and other satellite communities, the immediate reality remains a daily struggle marked by early departures, rising transport costs, and missed appointments.
