By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives urged relevant authorities to address the gridlock on the Suleja-Lambata-Bida Highway in Niger State that could lead to loss of lives and breakdown of law and order.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and Federal Road Safety Corps to immediately deploy personnel and resources to complement the efforts of Niger State Government which has so far constituted a Task Force to alleviate the situation and restore free flow of traffic.
It directed the Ministry to conduct an emergency assessment of the condition of the road, engage the contractor handling the project to ascertain reasons for delay in execution in a bid to proffer long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences.
The House mandated the Ministry of Works to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including Niger State Government, Security Agencies, and Transport Unions to ensure sustained effective traffic management.
It also mandated the House Committee on Works and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent importance moved by Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi on Thursday.
Co-sponsors are Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba. Hon. Shehu Saleh Rijau, Hon. Abdullahi Mahmudu, Hon. Ja’afaru Mohammed, Hon. Joshua Audu Gana, Hon. Ismaila Musa Modibbo, Hon. Adamu Tanko Suleja, Hon. Yusuf Kure Baraje and Hon. Abdul Buba Abubakar.
The House noted that for the past six days, an unprecedented 18-kilometer gridlock between Lambata and Suleja has crippled the flow of traffic on Suleja-Lambata-Bida highway in Niger State, holding vehicles – tankers, lorries, trucks, and trailers – and motorists hostage.
It also noted that the road is one of the busiest and most critical federal highways in the nation connecting and facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services, including essential and perishable items between Northern and Western States.
