Relief as FCTA moves to break Karmo road gridlock
Residents and road users on the Gwagwa – Karmo road are set to heave a sigh of relief as the FCT Administration has moved to construct the road connecting the Jeremiah Useni Way Life Camp, Gwarimpa with the Karmo Fish Market Road.
The project which would break the recurrent gridlock on the road during rush hours and peak time on weekends is designed to alleviate the stress encountered by travellers on that road.
It would also help relieve traffic from the Obafemi Awolowo Way as it would provide an alternative bypass on the JT Useni Road.
Pupils of GSS Gwarimpa, who spoke to newsmen during the tour expressed joy that the Administration also constructed concrete walkways for pupils of the school as well as pedestrians in the neighbourhood.
They were united in saying that the project would reduce dust, accidents and bumpy rides on the road.
The Director of Engineering, Engr. Hadi Ahmad, informed newsmen that the construction was in compliance with a directive by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.
The Minister, he said, “had witnessed, first-hand, the trouble residents encountered on their way to and from work and market and had decided to do something about it.”
Engr. Ahmad said the 500 meters stretch of arterial would significantly reduce congestion on the road as it will divert some traffic off the Life Camp Junction, thereby cutting off a significant portion of the Karmo road.
He also stressed that the project is a first resort solution as the FCTA is working to revoke the contract for the expansion and modernisation of the Old Keffi Road running from Karmo, across Idu to Dei-Dei.
The contract had been awarded to a contractor who had abandoned the work for a long time now, leaving the Administration no other option than to revoke and re-award the job to a more reputable company.
The Karmo or Old Keffi Road is a very significant network which leads to FCT’s major fish market as well as to the Idu Train station.
Similarly, road maintenance works were seen going on in the Gwarimpa 2 District (Life Camp) entailing drainage works and repair of road shoulders.
