The Kaduna State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has called on the Federal Government to hasten the repair and completion of major road projects across the state, citing frequent accidents and economic losses.
The union decried the deteriorating conditions of highways, particularly the Abuja-Kaduna road and the Kaduna Western Bypass.
Speaking in Kaduna, the State Secretary of the union, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, said the ongoing road projects were moving at a slow and worrisome pace.
“We want to appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action and compel the construction companies to complete the project as soon as possible,” Ibrahim stated. “It’s unfair that a journey from Abuja to Kaduna takes longer within the city than it does between the two cities.”
He lamented that the delay in completing road works was causing serious hardship for motorists and passengers alike, especially during the rainy season when contractors appear to be slowing down even further. He warned that the volume of traffic from across the country made it imperative that these critical routes be repaired without further delays.
According to Ibrahim, the situation has become so dire that some drivers, particularly those operating smaller vehicles, have abandoned routes within Kaduna due to road safety concerns. “This is an ugly scenario for us,” he said, “as we are losing revenue from drivers relocating to operate in safer areas like Zuba-Abuja.”
He described the Kaduna Western Bypass as a “death trap,” citing frequent road crashes that often lead to the loss of lives and property. Recalling a gridlock that occurred after the last Sallah celebration, he added, “We had a traffic jam that lasted over four hours along the Jere-Kaduna highway. These are incidents we pray should not persist.”
Despite these challenges, Ibrahim commended Governor Uba Sani’s decision to centralize Kaduna’s motor park system, which he said has improved safety and revenue generation.
“Now, all the unions operate from the Mando Mega Motor Park. The days of illegal parks and insecurity linked to unregistered operators are largely behind us,” he said.
He applauded the state’s efforts to restore order on the roads, praising the improved travel experience along key routes like Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, Kaduna-Jos, Kaduna-Abuja, and Kafanchan.
Finally, Ibrahim urged the public to use only approved motor parks and ensure they fill passenger manifests, while reaffirming the union’s commitment to supporting government and security agencies.
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