A major traffic gridlock on the Abuja-Lokoja highway has halted movements for all categories of road users.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that the traffic lockdown got worse on Saturday as both sides of the highway had been rendered unpassable forcing travelers to spending hours at a single spot.
This newspaper reports that the heavy traffic began to build up on Friday a week to this year’s Christmas when most people travel for the Yuletide.
The traffic jam grew worse on Saturday and on Sunday it was a total shut down.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that all kinds of vehicles including commercial taxis, buses and coasters as well as heavy truck and tankers are held.
The travelers are cashing on the the long holiday which starts on Thursday December 25 and runs through to the weekend to reach their various destinations.
A transporter who simply gave his name as Peter said he doesn’t know how long is the gridlock.
“I am going to the East, I don’t know when I will reach as I have spent close to four hours here.”
Peter was spotted at kilometer 94 of the 196km Abuja-Lokoja highway.
The highway which is a major gateway to South, East and West of Nigeria experience heavy vehicular traffic at this period of the year annually.
Meanwhile , the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has on Saturday deployed additional marshals and tow trucks along the Abuja–Lokoja road to ease the persistent traffic gridlock and ensure the prompt removal of obstructions.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed in a statement by the Corps spokesperson, Assistant Corps Marshal(ACM), Olusegun Ogungbemide on Sunday in Abuja, said the directive was part of ongoing efforts by the Corps to improve traffic management and guarantee the safety of road users.
This, he said, was especially during the current period of increased vehicular movement.
He explained that the congestion on the corridor was largely caused by a surge in traffic volume and the presence of multiple construction points along the road.
The corps marshal said the actions of indisciplined and impatient motorists who drove against traffic worsened the situation.
According to him, also contributing to the gridlock is lane indiscipline and impatience as drivers violate rules especially around construction areas where diversions are created for ease of movement.
“The deployment of more personnel and towing equipment is aimed at enhancing traffic control, enforcing discipline among motorists and ensuring that broken-down vehicles or other obstructions are quickly cleared to restore free flow of traffic,” he said.
Mohammed urged motorists travelling on the Abuja–Lokoja Road during the season to cooperate fully with FRSC personnel and other traffic managers on duty.






