The Federal Government has ordered an emergency intervention to ease the prolonged traffic gridlock on the Maje-Dikko axis of the Suleja–Minna road, directing the concessionaire to complete immediate remedial works within 48 hours.
The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, gave the directive on Friday during an inspection of the affected section of the road.
Goronyo, who expressed concern over the hardship faced by motorists, commuters and truck drivers, said the intervention was being undertaken in line with directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Abdullahi Mohammed, the Federal Ministry of Works had mobilised the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the concessionaire and transport sector representatives to coordinate the emergency response.
The affected Maje-Dikko section is part of the approximately 7.9-kilometre Suleja–Minna corridor being executed under a concession arrangement.
“The emergency work is to be completed within the next 48 hours. The concessionaire has already been mobilised to the site, and we are committed to ensuring that the gridlock is brought under control as quickly as possible,” Goronyo said.
He attributed the deterioration of the road to heavy traffic, particularly the movement of articulated vehicles linked to the NNPC depot in the area, which had contributed to the failure of sections of the asphalt pavement.
The Minister said the permanent rehabilitation of the corridor would involve continuous reinforced concrete pavement to improve the durability and resilience of the road.
He appealed to motorists and commuters to remain patient, assuring them that the Federal Government was committed to restoring normal traffic flow and preventing a recurrence of the disruption.
Goronyo also commended the FRSC for its prompt deployment of personnel to manage traffic and directed the concessionaire to deploy the required equipment, technology and manpower to complete the emergency works to standard.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Mallam Shehu Mohammed, said the agency had mobilised personnel to the affected area to support traffic management and protect motorists throughout the intervention.
He assured the Ministry of continued FRSC support to facilitate the free movement of traffic and maintain safety along the corridor.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola, said the intervention demonstrated the commitment of the Federal Government and the private sector to resolving critical transportation challenges.
He apologised to commuters over the hardship caused by the gridlock, assuring them that significant improvement was expected within the 48-hour timeframe.
The Managing Director of Trunkroad Consortium, Mr. Isaac Abeka, said the company had mobilised to the site and would deploy the necessary resources to complete the emergency repairs as quickly as possible.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, also backed the intervention, stressing the need for sound engineering, effective traffic management and road safety.
Meanwhile, a tanker driver, Mr. Ezekiel Oyosome, said some motorists had spent between nine and 10 days on the route because of the gridlock.
He welcomed the intervention and expressed optimism that the ongoing emergency works would restore movement and provide relief to stranded road users.
The Federal Ministry of Works said it would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to provide immediate relief while pursuing the permanent rehabilitation of the corridor.