By Samuel Adejo
Concerned citizens in Nasarawa State have raised alarm over the severe traffic congestion caused by the Garaku and Aboshon toll gates, urging local lawmakers to urgently intervene.
In a recent letter addressed to prominent political figures, including Senator Wadada, Rt. Hon. Gaza, Hon. Danladi Jatau, and Hon. Daniel Ogazi, citizens have called for the immediate suspension of the toll gates, which have become a major source of traffic chaos and frustration for travelers.
The letter, written by Prof. Akyala Ishaku, Director of the Global Health and Infectious Disease Control Institute in Keffi, highlights the worsening traffic gridlock.
What was once a 2.5-hour journey from Lafia to Abuja has now stretched to an agonizing five hours due to the bottleneck caused by the toll gates. Prof. Ishaku, a concerned citizen, expressed his alarm in the letter, urging legislative action to address the mounting crisis before it leads to further complications.
“This situation is rapidly spiraling out of control. If left unchecked, we risk widespread anarchy,” Prof. Ishaku warned. “The toll gates at Garaku and Aboshon are causing serious delays, and something must be done to restore order and ensure the free flow of traffic.”
The letter calls for lawmakers representing the constituencies where the toll gates are situated to raise a motion at both the state and national assembly chambers, advocating for the temporary suspension of the toll gates.
As a temporary solution, Prof. Ishaku suggests implementing a manual cash collection system at the toll booths, similar to that used at the Abuja airport toll gate, to alleviate the congestion.
Local commuters have voiced their frustration over the long travel times, with many fearing that the continuing delays could result in accidents or medical emergencies.
The ongoing traffic nightmare has added hours to daily commutes, significantly impacting both the economy and quality of life in the region.
The growing calls for intervention from local citizens highlight the urgency of the matter, with many urging lawmakers to take immediate legislative action to prevent the situation from escalating further.
With the congestion at the toll gates affecting the lives of countless individuals, citizens are demanding that their representatives act swiftly to restore order and ease the burdens on travelers.