By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Traffic congestion on the Abuja-Lokoja highway has eased considerably after the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), opened a second lane to restore smoother vehicular movement.
Reports from Koton-Karfe on Tuesday confirmed that vehicles now move freely in both directions; Lokoja-Koton-Karfe-Abuja and Abuja-Koton-Karfe-Lokoja, following days of gridlock that began on Sunday.
Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, Sector Commander of the FRSC in Kogi State, said the breakthrough came after the corps, working with the Federal Ministry of Works and construction companies, took decisive steps to address the crisis.
“Contractors were directed to expedite ongoing work and create alternative routes to ease the flow of traffic,” Tsukwam explained.
He commended the coordinated efforts of FRSC personnel from RS8.3 Kogi Sector Command, RS8.33 Koton-Karfe Unit Command, Corridor 3, and military personnel who joined the operation.
As part of the measures, vehicles were temporarily diverted to the Lokoja-Abuja lane, currently under construction, while additional FRSC officers were deployed to the Koton-Karfe axis for better visibility and rapid response.
Tsukwam identified lane indiscipline, impatience, and traffic violations by motorists as the major triggers of the gridlock.
He urged road users to exercise restraint and comply with traffic regulations to avoid a repeat of the incident.
The gridlock, which lasted several days, had left travellers stranded for up to ten hours between Lokoja and Abuja, prompting widespread frustration.
