By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has expressed frustration over motorists’ lack of cooperation in easing the gridlock on the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

Kogi State Sector Commander, Kumar Tsukwam, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that officials had been battling since Sunday to clear the traffic, which stretched from Ogbobo/Ozi to the Murtala Mohammed Bridge in Koton-Karfe.

He attributed the gridlock to ongoing road construction, broken-down vehicles on the single lane, and motorists’ impatience.
“Some drivers blocked opposing lanes, worsening the situation. We are doing our best to restore free movement for travellers,” Tsukwam said.

Motorists and commuters lamented the hardship caused by the standstill. Mohammed Yusuf, a driver, said he spent nine hours travelling from Abuja to Lokoja on Sunday.
“I left Abuja before 3 p.m. but didn’t reach Lokoja until midnight. The fuel wasted on the road is unbearable, especially with current prices,” he said.

Another traveller, Christopher Adamu, recounted spending the entire night in traffic after leaving Abuja in the evening. He urged authorities to take urgent measures to address the situation.

NAN reports that a construction company is currently working on the right lane of the highway between Koton-Karfe and Abaji, forcing traffic onto a single lane and worsening congestion.

Do you want me to make this more hard-news (short, direct, fact-heavy) or human-interest focused (emphasizing the commuters’ suffering and quotes)?

From Lateef Taiwo

Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s critical road infrastructure across the country.

Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi stated this Thursday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja in response to recent damages to the structural integrity of key bridges and flyovers, nationwide, according to a statement signed by Mohammed Ahmed, director, Public Relations in the ministry.

Engr Umahi cited a recent structural incident at the Keffi Flyover, which prompted an immediate technical evaluation. The investigation revealed that the damage was caused by a container-laden trailer exceeding the permitted clearance height, highlighting a national disregard for vehicle height and load regulations.

“When the height or weight of what you’re transporting exceeds the permitted clearance, it directly compromises the structural integrity of bridges and flyovers,” the minister stated.

Continuing, he said, “These infrastructures were never designed to accommodate such abuse. A single impact from an overloaded or improperly configured vehicle can lead to multi-billion-naira damage and threaten lives, as well as properties.”

The minister also noted that the minimum standard headroom for flyovers and interchanges ranges between 5.5 and 6.5 metres, and that violating this engineering requirement not only breaches federal regulations but also significantly shortens the lifespan of essential transport infrastructure.

Engr Umahi reported that no fewer than seven bridges along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway have suffered structural compromises due to similar violations. He referenced the Eko Bridge, which was damaged by fire under the previous administration and currently undergoing rehabilitation; it is now 80% complete, thanks to expedited funding approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Addressing the state of the 3rd Mainland and Carter Bridges in Lagos, Umahi acknowledged the discomfort faced by commuters due to ongoing maintenance exercises as witnessed during a recent inspection and urged them to be patient.

He reaffirmed that integrity tests were essential to ensure the long-term safety of the structures and the millions of Nigerians who use them daily. “We appreciate the patience of Nigerians during this time. All findings from our assessments are being addressed with precision, and every repair and reinforcement is being executed according to international engineering standards. No shortcuts will be taken,” he assured.

The minister also announced that the ministry, in collaboration with enforcement agencies, would launch a nationwide crackdown on non-compliant vehicles. This initiative includes strict enforcement of weight load regulations, clearance heights, and transport configurations across federal roads and bridges.

The Permanent Secretary, Engr Olufunsho O. Adebiyi, echoed the minister’s sentiments, emphasising that bridge protection is a shared responsibility, not solely the government’s.

“The bridges across Nigeria are a critical component of the nation’s economic and transport network. These structures are designed and constructed with load and height specifications. When motorists, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, ignore these, they place undue stress on our infrastructure, leading to premature and costly damage,” he stated.

Engr Adebiyi urged transport unions, construction firms, logistics companies, and motorists to comply with the federal regulations to preserve public assets and ensure road safety.

“The government alone cannot monitor every kilometre of road or every single bridge. This must be a collective effort. We are open to collaboration, sensitisation, and enforcement because Nigerians must understand that protecting our roads is in our shared interest,” he affirmed.

In conclusion, the ministry also called on all stakeholders—transport unions, construction companies, logistics operators, and road users—to join hands with the government in ensuring that the nation’s infrastructure investments are not rendered futile by negligence and lawlessness.

In a significant step for African trade, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has facilitated Nigeria’s first shipment to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. This historic shipment was carried out by Lucky Fibres, a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, and is headed to Mombasa, Kenya.

The successful launch of the trade route demonstrates AfCFTA’s potential to enhance economic collaboration between African nations. Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert and Lead of Trade Enablement at Nigeria’s AfCFTA Coordination Office, noted during a visit to the Apapa Area Command that this initiative reflects the growing spirit of cooperation across the continent. “We are building a spirit of collaboration to increase intra-African trade,” Olutayo said, highlighting that AfCFTA implementation teams in both Ghana and Kenya were informed of the shipment, marking it as a milestone for inter-African logistics.

The NCS plays a pivotal role as the Designated Competent Authority (DCA) under AfCFTA, using its resources and expertise to facilitate smooth trade processes. Olutayo commended the Customs Service for its proactive support, stating, “The Nigeria Customs Service has been fantastic in its readiness to facilitate trade, especially around AfCFTA, with everyone stepping in to support seamless operations.”

This first shipment symbolizes the start of a new era in intra-African trade, where barriers are reduced, and the flow of goods between African nations is encouraged, reinforcing AfCFTA’s aim to build a united and prosperous African economy.