By Ibironke Ariyo
The Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS) has deployed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to complete the 13.125 kilometer Apo-Karshi road project to protect lives and property.
Dr. Yusuf Suberu, FCT Squadron Leader, Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) The mayors of the federation made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
Suberu said commuters arriving daily in Abuja from neighboring Nasarawa State were facing dangerous problems caused by the traffic jam on the AYA-Nyanya-Mararaba Expressway.
He concluded that thousands of people living in Karshi, Orozo, Gidan Mangoro, Kurudu, Waru, Madalla, Wassa, Kyami, Takushara, Chorin and other communities would be direct beneficiaries of the road project.
He also said that traffic jams on the road had led to several incidents and unexpected occurrences in which many people lost their lives and property was lost.
It was revealed that the occurrence of incidents, especially during peak hours, was reason enough for the government to complete the construction of the road.
He urged that the government should also consider the condition and health of drivers while ensuring that the road construction is completed soon.
“The pressing issues faced by Karshi residents prompted this call for Wike’s intervention as FCT minister.
“The road network is a crucial and undeniable infrastructure for the socioeconomic and agricultural development of a nation, providing unrestricted access to places full of opportunities and services.
“In many developed countries, transportation plays an important role in making it easier to do business, and the government plays a key role in its implementation and management.
“The completion of the Apo-Karshi road is considered crucial not only to alleviate the suffering of the residents of Orozo-Karshi but also to promote the restoration of the Abuja Master Plan.
“Numerous abandoned projects in the Kurudu-Orozo-Karshi axis, belonging to Abuja residents, were left incomplete due to lack of viable roads to the FCT,” he said.
Suberu explained that with the backing of the no-nonsense leader, there is optimism that the FCT minister will overcome all challenges and ensure the quick and successful completion of the Apo-Karshi highway project.
However, he was aware of the impact of the Minister’s earlier visit to Bwari, which ultimately resulted in increased security.
He said, “This is also a call for you to visit the Apo Karshi Road construction site to witness the challenges first-hand.”
“It is believed that his visit may provide respite to residents, similar to the positive results seen in the Bwari axis.
“The collective hope is that the suffering of the residents of the Orozo-Karshi axis will come to an end and that with the minister’s intervention there will be smiles on their faces,” he said.
The Apo-Karshi Road project was inaugurated in 2011 for Kakatar Limited, a local company, and its completion period was 20 months. More than 13 years have passed and the project is still not finished.
