By Ihedoru Loveth
Mararaba (Nasarawa State – Residents of Mararaba and Masaka, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, have urged the Federal Government to urgently repair the deteriorating Sharp Corner portion of the road in Mararaba on the Abuja-Keffi express road.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a portion of the road at Sharp Corner by The Young Shall Grow Transport Company, which had been bad, has deteriorated further with the rainy season causing a heavy gridlock on that road.
The Masaka-Mararaba axis accommodates the largest number of public servants who work in the FCT.
Some residents, who spoke with NAN, say the Federal Government should, as a matter of emergency, take urgent steps to address the issue before it develops into a crisis.
Malam Muhammad Bashir, a businessman, told NAN that the road had become a nightmare as residents spent hours in traffic, thereby incurring losses from vehicle repairs, as well as accidents that could be avoided.
Bashir stated that the thought of going out for business has become unappealing each time he thinks of the pains he has to go through to get to his destination.
He said he sometimes entertained fears that he might be risking a car breakdown, or worse still, get into an accident because of the big pot holes on that portion of road.
On his part, Mr John Daniel, a civil servant, attributed the situation on that road to the lack of a functional drainage system.
Daniel, therefore, called on the state government to effect repairs on the road in addition to building an efficient drainage system.
He also called on the state government to provide adequate refuse bins for the dumping of waste.
Similarly, Malam Abdul Ali, a Masaka resident and public servant, told NAN that it was time the state government recommenced the implementation of its environmental laws to guard against the dumping of waste in drains and ditches in the area.
He said: “It will go a long way toward addressing the issue and discouraging people who contribute to creating the challenges.
“That road has indeed become every motorist’s nightmare.
“The fact that I have to visit the mechanic every week to repair my car; is another economic burden to me considering the current hardship in the country.’’
Mrs Mary David, a banker, said she had not been able to enjoy sleep for a long time now considering that “I have to wake up in the early hours of the day to avoid the serious traffic jam that may build up and get to work early.
“And you know that lack of adequate sleep can be injurious to health. It can cause stress and even shorten ones lifespan.
“Without good health how can people give their best at work?
“So, government needs to be responsible and responsive to the plight of its people by picking interest in their welfare.
She, therefore, urged both the federal and Nasarawa governments to play their parts in ensuring that they come to the rescue of those living in tha