By Samson Adeyanju
Frustrated commuters and residents on Today staged a protest over the absence of a nearby U turn on the newly constructed road in Zuba, Abuja, describing the situation as a source of severe hardship for drivers and pedestrians.
The protesters, comprising young and old, carried placards and blocked sections of the road, demanding immediate government intervention to address what they described as unnecessary suffering caused by the road design.
According to the protesters, motorists are forced to drive long distances before finding a point to turn to the opposite lane, while pedestrians struggle to cross the busy road because the designated pedestrian crossing is located far from the area near the popular fruit market.
They said the situation has created heavy congestion involving vehicles, commercial motorcycles, drivers, traders, motor parks and nearby filling stations.
While the demonstrators acknowledged the efforts of the government in constructing the new road, they insisted that the absence of a nearby U turn has placed commuters under serious pressure.
Some protesters temporarily halted construction activities, confronting workers on site and demanding that authorities urgently create a turning point to ease movement.
One of the protesters said the demonstration was meant to draw the attention of the government to the daily challenges faced by residents.
However, not all residents supported the protest. Some argued that introducing a U turn in the area could increase the risk of accidents due to the heavy traffic around the market.
As of the time of filing this report, tensions remained high as road workers attempted to resume barricading work on the road, while protesters continued to voice their grievances.
Observers warned that the situation could escalate if authorities fail to address the concerns or deploy security personnel to maintain order.