Maraba Residents Lament Worsening Gridlock Amid Flyover Construction

Residents of Mararaba, a densely populated suburb bordering the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed frustration over the worsening traffic congestion caused by ongoing construction works along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway.

Mararaba, which accommodates a large number of civil servants and business owners working in Abuja due to its relatively affordable housing, is one of the busiest entry routes into the nation’s capital. The area also serves as a major transit corridor for travellers from southern Nigeria heading to Abuja.

The traffic situation has reportedly deteriorated following the demolition of the popular Mararaba Bridge to pave the way for a new twin flyover project. The construction activities have significantly reduced available road space, leaving commuters with limited movement options.

Many road users who spoke on the development described the daily gridlock as exhausting and time-consuming, with traffic stretching several kilometres during peak periods.

A commercial driver recounted spending more than an hour in traffic near the Sani Abacha Bus Terminal at One Man Village before movement gradually resumed close to the police checkpoint separating the FCT from Nasarawa State.

According to him, the congestion has now become a daily occurrence for motorists plying the route.

Another commuter, identified simply as Sunny, blamed the situation on inadequate traffic control, noting that only a few traffic officials were deployed to manage the chaotic movement of vehicles.

He also raised concerns about poor lighting in parts of the construction zone, warning that it could increase the risk of accidents, especially at night.

Similarly, a resident, Nkechi Ikechukwu, said the worsening traffic had disrupted her daily routine, forcing her to wake up earlier than usual to avoid delays on her way to work in Abuja.

She explained that Mararaba had long struggled with severe congestion during morning and evening rush hours, but the ongoing construction had further compounded the problem.

Another commuter, Abdul Mustapha, appealed to the authorities to improve coordination with construction firms, provide regular updates to road users, and deploy more personnel to manage traffic around the affected corridor.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure speedy completion of the project in order to ease the hardship faced by motorists and commuters using the route daily.