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Commuters Decry Poor State of Kaduna Expressway, Citing Congestion and Accidents

From The Punch · (5m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Commuters in Kaduna State are expressing frustration over the dilapidated condition of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, citing congestion and accidents.
  • Drivers report that reconstruction efforts have worsened traffic, with journeys now taking significantly longer due to impatient drivers and flooding on one lane.
  • While a Joint Task Force has been deployed to manage traffic and assist pedestrians, commuters are calling for urgent road repairs to alleviate suffering.

The Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway in Kaduna State has become a major source of distress for commuters, who are lamenting its deplorable state. The road, a vital artery for transport in the region, is reportedly plagued by severe congestion and a high incidence of accidents, turning daily commutes into arduous ordeals.

Anytime there is an accident, the place becomes congested, and the only people that are able to move are pedestrians.

— Yahaya DaudaA transport union official describing the severe congestion caused by accidents on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway.

Drivers navigating this route describe a worsening situation, particularly since reconstruction work began. The combination of impatient motorists, particularly heavy-duty trucks and speeding tricycles, along with flooding on one side of the road, has dramatically increased travel times. What should be a short journey can now stretch for hours, causing significant disruption to people's lives and livelihoods.

I call on the government to please come and assist us to fix the other lane to ease the people’s suffering.

— Abdulaziz HamisuA driver urging the government to repair the damaged lane of the expressway to alleviate the difficulties faced by commuters.

Pedestrians, including students like Bilkisu Zubairu, face their own set of challenges. The difficulty in crossing the road, compounded by the lack of caution from drivers and the stagnant water, often leads to lateness for school and missed lectures. This highlights how the road's poor condition impacts even the most vulnerable road users.

It has become more difficult because vehicles now move on one lane of the road.

— Bilkisu ZubairuA student explaining how the road's condition, with vehicles restricted to one lane, exacerbates the traffic and pedestrian crossing issues.

While the Kaduna State government has established a Joint Task Force to manage traffic and improve pedestrian safety, its effectiveness is still being assessed. Although the task force has reportedly reduced accidents, its members are requesting additional resources, such as torchlights for nighttime operations, indicating a need for continued support. The overarching sentiment among commuters is a desperate plea for the government to prioritize and expedite the repair of the expressway to ease their suffering and restore normalcy to their daily travel.

We know that the governor is trying his best, but we need more supplies like torchlights because we work even at night.

— Aliyu SulaimanAn officer of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service requesting additional equipment for the Joint Task Force to improve their effectiveness in traffic control.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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