Abuja-Lokoja Road Declared National Emergency Amid Deterioration

The Abuja-Lokoja road has been identified as a national emergency, reflecting its critical state and the urgent need for attention. Originally initiated as a dualization project in 2006 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, the project was awarded ₦42 billion to four construction companies, including Dantata Sawo Bulletin Construction Company and Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Ltd.

However, subsequent administrations, including those of Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, failed to complete the project, leaving the road in a decrepit state. Reports indicate that the road has become increasingly dangerous, with incidents of violence against travelers, including the killing of Major General Hassan Ahm by gunmen in 2021.

The current administration under President Bola Tinubu has recently taken steps to revitalize the project, with four contractors handling an 86-kilometer section of the road. The situation has raised significant concerns regarding safety and accessibility for commuters from various regions in Nigeria.