JULIUS BERGER: WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH?

To say that travelling along the Kaduna-Zaria axis of the KanoAbuja federal highway constitutes daily nightmare for motorist clearly understates the grievous problems. Indeed, a journey which normally takes five hours from Kano to Abuja now takes at least nine to ten hours. And even at that, one must have been extremely lucky to have escaped the notorious Birnin-Yero trap. But those not so fortunate enough usually spend the whole day in the traffic gridlock, and it is routine!

It is common knowledge that the KadunaZaria highway despite being the shortest among the three segments of the Kano-Abuja federal highway under reconstruction by Julius Berger, has nevertheless become the most dangerous due frequent deadly accidents; and serious traffic gridlocks recorded on daily basis.

More painful is the attitude of the management of the construction company who seems not to care about the ongoing logjam. It is not unusual for somebody going to Zaria or Kano or any other far northern states as the case may be, to take a detour through Jos road or via a barely passable and makeshift road that bursts out adjacent to Jaji Cantonment.

It is worth noting that while similar constructions are being undertaken concurrently at Kaduna-Abuja and Kano-Zaria axis respectively of the same highway by the company, the traffic holdup and accidents along those corridors do not in any way measure up in comparison to Zaria-Kaduna notorious portion! Something must therefore be wrong along the line. But whatever may be the cause, the company must shoulder greater responsibility for this endless nightmare.

Worth recalling too is the fact that whereas both Abuja-Kaduna and Kano-Zaria segments have graciously allowed smooth passage through the completed portions of the highway thus easing the traffic gridlock; the ZariaKaduna segment has so far vehemently refused to extend similar gesture to motorists despite all entreaties!

Government must therefore call the management of Julius Berger to order because the suffering is becoming unbearable. The management in charge of the Birnin-yero portion must be made to ease the ongoing suffering and avoidable deaths! Kabiru Tsakuwa, Kano.