By Francis Nansak

Residents Cry Out to Tinubu, Umahi, and Gov. Sule Over Slow Work, Gridlock, and Rising Deaths.

What was once widely celebrated as a relief for motorists on the busy Mararaba to Keffi stretch of the Abuja-Keffi Federal Highway is now drawing widespread lamentation from thousands of Nigerians.

The rehabilitation project, awarded to ease congestion on one of the country’s busiest corridors, is now being blamed for four critical problems: 

1. Extremely slow pace of work

2. Long stretches of road blockage and diversions. 

3. Reckless speeding on narrowed lanes.

4. Loss of lives and alleged substandard work

Commuters, transport unions, and residents who ply the road daily say hardly a month passes without reports of auto crashes. With traffic diverted to a single lane for several kilometers, the situation has created what many describe as “uncontrollable danger” for cars, motorcycles, and heavy trucks, putting innocent commuters at constant risk.

The attention of the Presidency, the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, is urgently being drawn to intervene.

While residents appreciate that construction is ongoing, they say the slow pace and poor traffic management have turned a project meant to save lives into one that is costing lives. “We are not against development. We appreciate the road work. But people are dying every week. Please, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abdullahi Sule, and Senator David Umahi, come to our aid,” residents lamented.

What Residents Are Asking For:

Accelerate the pace of work with 24-hour shifts where possible.

Improve traffic management and proper signage on diversion points.

Enforce speed limits and deploy FRSC personnel to black spots

Quality control to ensure the work meets federal standards

The Abuja-Keffi road serves as a critical link between the FCT, Nasarawa, and the North Central region. Fixing it right, and fast, will save both time and lives.