By Huldah Shado
The Federal Government has ordered contractors handling the reconstruction and expansion of the Abuja-Keffi Expressway to begin night operations as part of measures to ease the heavy gridlock on the Abuja-bound lane.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, gave the directive on Thursday during an inspection visit to the site, warning that the completion deadline remains unchanged despite challenges encountered.
He identified the most problematic stretch as the three-kilometre Abuja-bound corridor, which has been severely affected by flooding and persistent traffic jams.
Goronyo said government was mindful of the hardship faced daily by commuters, especially residents of Keffi and Nyanya, and had instructed the construction firm to adopt urgent interventions, including night work.
He explained that while 41 kilometres of the 43.6-kilometre dualisation project on the Keffi-bound side had been completed up to Binder, progress on the remaining Abuja-bound section was stalled by waterlogging.
The minister directed that temporary measures be taken to divert water and create an alternative passage, while major construction should proceed overnight to minimise daytime disruptions and accelerate delivery.
He cautioned that the ministry would no longer tolerate delays, noting that the road is of national importance.
“Commuters cannot continue to suffer due to slow progress,” he said, urging the contractor to fully mobilise and intensify work.
Goronyo, who was accompanied by the Federal Controller of Works, the Acting Director of the North Central Zone, and representatives of the construction firm, commended the progress achieved on the Keffi-bound side but stressed that urgent attention must be given to the Abuja-bound corridor to ease congestion and complete the project on schedule.
