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SPECIAL REPORT: “My Brother, It’s a Total Loss”: Voices from Abuja’s Marathon Traffic Nightmare

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

For hundreds of thousands of commuters, the Mararaba-Keffi road is not merely a route but a grueling daily test of endurance. On a typical morning, the passage connecting Nasarawa State to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, transforms into a stagnant river of metal and frustration. A series of interviews with road users trapped in the gridlock paints a vivid picture of a systemic transport crisis, as filed by Nigerian Tracker’s Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa.

By 7:30 AM, Muazu, a 34-year-old banker, had already been in his private car for over an hour, stuck near Mararaba Market. He left his home in Ado at 6:15 AM for his office in Central Area. “This road is a nightmare every single day,” he lamented, gesturing at the unmoving sea of vehicles.

He identified the core issues as a catastrophic mismatch between road capacity and population. “One major road for a million people. And every morning, broken-down vehicles, carelessly parked tankers, and too many FRSC checkpoints that just seem to slow us down for no reason.” His solution echoed a common refrain: actionable infrastructure development.

“They’ve been talking about expanding this road for years. Thankfully, our voices have been heard by this current administration of President Bola Tinubu. We hope they get it fixed as soon as possible. We need action, not talk,” Muazu said.

A Commercial Driver Calculating Losses

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Quite a distance away, Sanusi, a 52-year-old commercial bus driver, was parked in front of the Sahad Stores opposite First Bank, slowly filling his vehicle with passengers. The traffic had decimated his livelihood. “My brother, it’s a total loss. Before, like 8 years back, I could do three trips to Wuse by 10 AM. Now, I’m lucky to do one. The fuel we burn in this traffic alone can take us to Kaduna.”

From his professional view point, he pinpointed the chaotic merging near Karu junction and the proliferation of illegal shortcuts as critical failures.

“Everyone forces their way in. And the buses stopping anywhere to pick passengers—we are all guilty.” He advocated for dedicated bus lanes and the completion of the long-promised road expansion.

A Teacher’s Ordeal

Inside a cramped tricycle (keke) at the Karu Bridge junction, Chioma, a 28-year-old teacher heading for Garki, watched her morning vanish.

“By the time I get there, first period is almost finished. It’s so discouraging.”

She observed a culture of impatience exacerbating the blockage, with drivers using oncoming lanes to jump the queue.

“Then causing a total block when they meet oncoming vehicles.” She also cited sand and gravel trucks spilling debris and street traders encroaching onto the roadway. Her desired fix was a reliable, scheduled bus service and a dedicated bypass for heavy goods vehicles.

An Expert’s Diagnosis

Transport economist Dr. Idris Adetola, in a phone interview with our correspondent, synthesized these complaints into a stark diagnosis. He described the Mararaba-Keffi corridor as a “textbook case of dormitory town planning failure,” where massive residential development occurred without parallel transport investment. “One over-capacity road connects everyone to their jobs in Abuja. Add poor traffic management, zero mass transit alternatives, and weak enforcement, and you have a predictable crisis.”

Dr. Idris proposed a multi-tiered solution: immediate enforced traffic management, a critical short-term launch of a high-capacity Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, and a long-term strategy to decentralize Abuja’s economy and complete stalled rail and road projects. “The people’s daily suffering,” he concluded, “is a direct result of planning neglect.”

Asked if he is hoping for an improvement in the ongoing reconstruction on that route, Dr. Idris replied: “Well, this is Nigeria! You never can tell the next news. But I hope they do better with the ongoing reconstruction.”

Together, these voices from the daily users form a unified testimony: the Mararaba-Keffi gridlock is more than an inconvenience; it is a daily economic and social drain, demanding urgent and holistic intervention.

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Dangote Cement Deploys AI, Telematics to Enhance Transport Safety

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Dangote Cement Transport has scaled up series of impactful, and technology backed programmes designed to improve performance, governance and compliance to road safety.

A statement from the Branding and Communications Department of the company said the enhanced programmes cover key operational areas, including performance metrics, strengthened governance standards, and improved accountability frameworks.

It further noted that the programmes also extend to comprehensive driver training and competency development, technology-enabled safety systems, journey management protocols, and regular recertification processes.

Other components include mandatory drug screening, strategic partnerships and collaborations, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, sustainability programmes, and community impact programmes, among others.

The statement signed by the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, recalled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had recently commended the company for its proactive safety programmes, which have contributed to reducing road traffic crashes across the country.

The statement quoted Head of Transport of the Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva, as saying that the company has upscaled its transport management systems through the deployment of automated inspection technologies and artificial intelligence-driven solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and road safety.

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Mr. Silva said the company has since deployed enhanced GPS and telematics systems for real-time monitoring of driver behaviour during transit, strengthening oversight and operational safety across its fleet.

He added that, in a bid to combat driver fatigue, the company has increased its wellness campaign, while also engaging in a series of stakeholder fora with third-party truck operators and drivers to reinforce safety awareness, compliance, and responsibility on the road.

Mr. Sliva said the company’s collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is already yielding positive results, noting that the partnership has continued to strengthen safety standards across its operations.

He added that FRSC officials are actively involved in the training and screening of drivers at the Dangote Articulated Vehicle Driving School in Obajana, where they provide technical guidance, enforce compliance with best practices, and support the development of highly competent and safety-conscious drivers.

According to him, the percentage of drivers undergoing structured training, drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic recertification, has increased significantly, describing the growth as “astronomical.”

According to him, between the first quarters of 2025 and 2026, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, recorded significant improvements in its safety compliance measures, with drug and alcohol testing increasing by 245.2 per cent, pre-trip vehicle inspections rising by 489.1 per cent, and driver training programmes expanding by 128.4 per cent.

Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, had commended the company for setting new standards in road safety management and urged it to sustain the reforms that have continued to improve safety across Nigeria’s transport sector.

The Corps Marshal stated that comparatively between 2025 and 2026, road crashes involving trucks belonging to the Dangote Cement Plc declined by 56 per cent, while fatal cases decreased by 36 per cent and injuries dropped significantly by 52 per cent.

He said the improvement has shown that the company has implemented its Gap Analysis, and company policies worthy of emulation by all logistics companies in Africa.

“We have always said that if Dangote Cement get its right, Nigeria and Africa, will get it right. This is a plus for Nigeria,” he said.

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Yusuf Muhammad Kawu Emerges as APM Candidate for Nassarawa Constituency

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Ambassador Yusuf Muhammad Kawu has officially secured the ticket of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Nassarawa Federal Constituency in Kano State.

In a statement released to his supporters and the general public, Kawu expressed gratitude and optimism, describing his emergence as a reflection of his commitment to serve with dedication, integrity, and a clear vision for progress.

“This victory is a testament to my commitment to serve our people with dedication, integrity, and a clear vision for progress,” he said. He further appealed to constituents for their support and votes in the forthcoming election, pledging that their mandate would be his responsibility and their pride.

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Kawu emphasized that his candidacy is driven by a desire to build a stronger and more prosperous Nassarawa Constituency, promising inclusive representation and development-focused leadership.

The Allied Peoples Movement, though relatively smaller compared to Nigeria’s dominant political parties, has been steadily gaining ground in various constituencies, positioning itself as an alternative platform for candidates seeking to challenge the status quo.

As campaigns intensify ahead of the general elections, Kawu’s emergence sets the stage for what could be a competitive race in Nassarawa Constituency.

 

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Veteran Broadcaster And Ex-MD ARTV, Radio Kano Adamu Getso Dies At 75

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Former Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) and the Kano State Radio Corporation, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso, is dead.

The veteran broadcaster reportedly passed away on Saturday at the age of 75 after a prolonged illness.

A native of Getso town in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, the late media administrator was widely respected for his significant contributions to broadcasting, public communication, and information dissemination in Kano State.

During his distinguished career, Getso served as Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Television during the first tenure of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso between 1999 and 2003. He later headed the Kano State Radio Corporation during Kwankwaso’s second tenure as governor.

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The late broadcaster earned widespread recognition through his role in anchoring popular Hausa-language programmes, including Hukuma da Jama’a (Government and the People) and Aiki Sai Mai Shi, which focused on government policies, public affairs, and development programmes.

Colleagues and admirers described him as a dedicated professional who used the media as a platform for public enlightenment and civic engagement.

His contributions to the growth of public broadcasting in Kano and his commitment to promoting government-citizen communication earned him respect across the media industry and beyond.

Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and other relatives.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.

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