The House of Representatives Committee on Works, on Sunday, called on Julius Berger Construction Limited to ensure immediate opening of the completed sections of Abuja-Kaduna federal highway in order to ease vehicular movement on the corridor.
Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Kabir Abubakar who issued the directive via a statement obtained by Tribune Online expressed displeasure over the gridlock along Abuja-Kaduna and Zaria-Kano federal road.
To this end, the Committee resolved to summon the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Director (Highways) construction, as well as management of Julius Berger Plc to brief it on the status of the ongoing works on the Abuja-Kaduna, Zaria-Kano road projects, in response to public outcry.
The committee said the need for the explanations has become necessary following the barrage of complaints by well-meaning Nigerians travelling on the corridor.
“The ongoing rehabilitation and dualization of the Abuja-Kaduna highway is causing untold hardship to motorists and other road users plying that road.
ALSO READ:Â Sen Abdullahi bows to pressure, to remove death penalty in proposed Hate Speech Bill
“The partial closure of some sections have caused enormous financial and labour time losses due to road traffic congestion and long hours spent on the road.
“It has been observed that the quality of life of those commuting on that road has started to decline. A journey that normally takes 4 hours now takes at least 9 hours to complete.
“We call on the construction company working on the road to expedite action on the project so as to complete it on time. They should immediately open up closed sections of the road they have completed to motorists so as to reduce the long hours spent travelling on the road.
“We also call on relevant authorities such as the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police force to provide adequate security and ensure that motorists drive within the maximum speed limit of 50km per hour as prescribed by the National Raid Traffic Regulations, 2012 as the maximum limit allowed at construction zones.
“They should ensure that motorists observe lane discipline and avoid driving against traffic,” Hon. Abubakar urged.
and then