Some commuters plying the Kagoro-Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway in Kaduna have lamented the road’s poor condition, saying it causes congestion and crashes.

The commuters made this known in separate interviews on Monday.

Yahaya Dauda, a transport union official at the Bakin Ruwa-Kagoro unit, described the road as congested, with impatient drivers.

“Anytime there is an accident, the place used to be congested, and the only people who are able to move are pedestrians. The other side of the road is flooded, which makes it hard for vehicles to pass. We are calling on the government to please fix the road because it will reduce the traffic,” he said.

Adullaziz Hamisu, a driver who regularly plies the Kaduna-Abuja route, said the road has become more difficult since reconstruction began.

He explained that big trucks and tankers speed while tricycles drive roughly, adding that congestion is sometimes so bad that a one-hour journey can take up to three or four hours.

“I call on the government to please come and assist us to fix the other lane to ease the people’s suffering,” he said.

Bilkisu Zubairu, a student, said she crosses the road regularly on her way to or from school.

Ms Zubairu said she finds it hard to cross because most vehicles do not slow down for pedestrians, adding that she sometimes gets to school late and misses her lectures.

She said that traffic and stagnant water in the other lane also worsen the situation.

“It has become more difficult because vehicles now move on one lane of the road. The government should please fix the road because pedestrians find it hard to move around with the stagnant water and congestion of vehicles,” she said.

Meanwhile, Aliyu Sulaiman, an officer of the Kaduna State Vigilant Service, said Governor Uba Sani created a joint task force committee that began operations on April 28 to help control traffic.

According to him, since the operation began, accidents have decreased, and lives have been protected as the task force helps pedestrians cross the roads safely.

“We know that the governor is trying his best, but we need more supplies like torchlights because we work even at night,” he stated.

(NAN)