The Kaduna State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the Federal Government to fast-track road rehabilitation and construction efforts to curb the high incidence of road traffic accidents in northern Nigeria.
Speaking to local journalists, Kaduna NURTW Secretary, Suleiman Bature, highlighted concerns over persistent crashes along major corridors, especially the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Highway—infamous for potholes, poor surfacing, and frequent banditry-related incidents. Bature emphasized that such conditions pose a serious threat to commuters and commercial drivers alike, making timely road upgrades “a matter of life and death.”
He pointed to recent efforts, including federal and state-level road maintenance schemes, but noted that the “slow pace of work” continues to compromise safety and economic activity in the region.
The Federal Government is currently undertaking critical rehabilitation phases on the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano expressway. Work includes rigid concrete pavement, drainage upgrades, median barriers, and solar lighting, with an anticipated 14-month completion timeline announced in early 2025.
Additionally, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recently commended Kaduna State’s dual efforts in paving urban roads—such as the Stadium Roundabout to Command Junction corridor—which have improved traffic flow and mitigated urban accident risks.
Despite these steps, union officials warn that rural stretches and highway extensions remain woefully under-serviced, demanding much more rapid action.
1. Accelerate federal highway repairs — particularly on Abuja–Kaduna and Kaduna–Kano segments.
2. Maintain rural access roads to prevent secondary accident zones on detour routes.
3. Enhance coordination between NURTW, FRSC, FERMA, and the Ministry of Works for consistent six-month maintenance cycles—the current system is “not sufficient,” according to Bature.
Public safety: Improved roads reduce accidents resulting from potholes, impassable lanes, and shifting onto unsafe shoulders.
Economic security: Kaduna is a commercial hub; poor infrastructure delays goods movement, raising costs and shaking traders.
Regional connectivity: Smoother roads facilitate intercity trade from Abuja to Zaria and Kano, plugging into broader national economic goals.
With Abuja–Kaduna–Kano expressway works already rolling—and Kaduna State making strides on urban road rehabilitation—the NURTW’s call may add pressure for faster Federal follow-through on national highway sections and rural connectors.
