Abuja-Lokoja Road Gridlock Crippling Economy, Security – Commerce Chamber

President of the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Demiloye Akerejola, has raised alarm over the persistent gridlock on the Abuja–Lokoja Road.

He described the state of the Banda–Natako axis of the road as a major economic and security threat to the state and Nigeria.

At a press conference in Lokoja, Akerejola said the congestion on the critical corridor had become a “choking point,” stifling economic activities and exposing commuters to risks.

Akerejola said findings by the chamber revealed that the gridlock, particularly on the seven-kilometre Banda–Natako stretch, had led to severe economic losses, including reduced productivity, increased transportation costs and deterioration of perishable goods.

According to him, prolonged traffic delays had also resulted in health challenges due to pollution, frequent road accidents and heightened vulnerability to criminal activities.

“The effects are far-reaching — businesses are losing man-hours, goods are perishing, appointments are missed, and emergency responses are delayed, sometimes with fatal consequences,” he said.

Akerejola identified unregulated movement of heavy-duty vehicles, poor road infrastructure, and inadequate traffic management as major causes of the persistent congestion.

To address the situation, the chamber proposed a mix of short, medium, and long-term solutions.

In the short term, it called for strict enforcement of traffic regulations, deployment of security personnel, and establishment of temporary holding bays for articulated vehicles.

It also recommended restricting trailer movements to night hours and ensuring round-the-clock presence of traffic officials, including the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police.

For medium-term measures, the chamber urged the acceleration of ongoing construction works on the Abuja–Lokoja road, introduction of smart traffic management systems, and creation of designated trailer parks.

Akerejola also advocated the use of modern technology such as traffic cameras, drone surveillance, and aerial monitoring to enable real-time traffic updates and improve flow along the route.

On long-term solutions, he stressed the need for the completion of the Abuja–Lokoja Road project, construction of bypasses from Banda to Kabba junction, and the development of a national freight movement policy to enhance logistics and regional integration.

While acknowledging efforts by relevant authorities, the chamber called for stronger inter-agency collaboration and increased federal government support through adequate funding and provision of modern infrastructure for traffic management agencies.