Abuja–Lokoja Road Gridlock Worsens as FRSC Faults Motorists’ Impatience

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has expressed frustration over the non-cooperation of motorists with traffic officials along the Lokoja–Abuja highway, where a massive gridlock has persisted since Sunday.

Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, told Voice of the People (VOP) that despite continuous efforts by officers to ease traffic, the impatience of motorists has worsened the situation.

“The situation is sad and very unfortunate considering the long hours motorists and commuters spend before crossing the gridlock,” he said.

According to Tsukwam, the gridlock stretches from Ogbobo/Ozi to the Murtala Mohammed Bridge in Koton-Karfe. He explained that the ongoing road construction, coupled with broken-down vehicles on the single-lane stretch and motorists’ impatience, were major contributors.

“Some motorists block oncoming vehicles by refusing to yield, thereby compounding the traffic situation. We are doing our best to ensure free passage for travellers,” he added.

Some road users narrated their ordeals. Mohammed Yusuf, a commercial driver, said he spent nine hours on the road from Abuja to Lokoja on Sunday. “I left Abuja around 3:00 p.m. but only got to Lokoja by midnight,” he told VOP.

Similarly, a commuter, Christopher Adamu, said he spent the entire night in traffic. He appealed to authorities to urgently clear the gridlock, noting that the right lane of the highway from Koton-Karfe to the Murtala Mohammed Bridge remained blocked due to construction work.

VOP  reports that a construction company is currently rehabilitating the Lokoja–Abuja road from Koton-Karfe to Abaji.