In view of the ongoing rehabilitation and dualisation of the Makurdi- Gboko Road, the road users would do well to exercise extra caution, particularly from Km1 to Km13 on the road, bearing in mind that the road in the interim is no longer a dual carriageway on the quoted section.
Beginning at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Makurdi gate down to the Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Teaching Hospital (formerly Benue State University Teaching Hospital) Makurdi, traffic has been diverted for the safety of both road users and staff of Bauhaus Global Investment (Nigeria) Limited, the firm handling the project.
At the moment, until traffic is open to serve both sides of the road, traffic is reduced to the section that was initially meant to accommodate traffic moving out of Makurdi. This means that all the road users – be they pedestrians, commuters, articulated vehicles, okada, or VIPs- now use the road like what Nigerians describe as “face me, I face you.” There is, therefore, an increased risk of using the road. This situation is made worse because town service buses, tricycles, and Okada intermittently stop to pick up or “drop” passenger(s), further shrinking the size of the road.
However, it appears that many road users have yet to come to terms with this reality, and it is dangerous.
As the construction work extends into town, congestion will increase. We cannot deny the recklessness of some road users, especially those riding or driving against traffic. We must therefore, not wait for any eventuality; we have to be cautious.
While we urge road users to exercise extra caution when on the road, we call on Bauhaus to step up their game by placing extra caution and traffic signs. People who live on the other side of the road tend to forget that the road is still a dual carriageway, risking an accident.
Bauhaus should also, as a matter of urgency, close potholes that are on the section of the road that is open to traffic. For instance, there is one at Terwase Agbadu Junction. It is worse if there is flash flooding and we are in the rainy season. Two are at the junction of the third street into Judges Quarters (Baver Dzeremo Street).
The parking lane between Benue State Examinations Board and the Eastern Wing (2nd gate) of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University (formerly Benue State University) also needs attention.
Always remember that safety comes first. You might be right but always take caution so that the one who is not right does not lead you into an avoidable incident.
