FG moves to clear Niger gridlock, illegal truck parking in Lagos

The federal government has ordered urgent action to ease a prolonged traffic crisis along the Bida–Kutigi corridor in Niger State, while also taking steps to remove illegally parked trucks from key port access roads in Lagos.

The twin interventions are aimed at tackling transportation bottlenecks that have disrupted the movement of passengers, commercial vehicles and goods on strategically important routes.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John, joined officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and road transport operators to develop immediate measures for restoring traffic movement in Niger State.

The intervention followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for urgent action on the worsening congestion.

• Constitutional amendment: What was taken to state assemblies
• INEC seeks increased PWD participation as only 6 contest N’Assembly seats

Ade-John met with FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, Minister of State for Works Bello Muhammad Goronyo and National President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Yusuf Lawal, to assess the causes of the disruption and coordinate a response.

The Wuya Bridge between Bida and Kutigi has become one of the most serious congestion points along the corridor.

Traffic has reportedly been severely restricted along the Bida–Badeggi–Agaie Road and around the Maje–Diko Junction near the Suleja NNPC Depot, with vehicles facing blockages in both directions for about two weeks.

The disruption has affected passengers, freight operators and other road users, increasing travel delays along a corridor that supports the movement of agricultural produce, commercial goods and people across Niger State and neighbouring areas.

Ade-John said the Presidency was determined to address transportation bottlenecks that affect mobility and economic activity.

He also appealed to motorists and transport operators to cooperate with traffic authorities while the intervention is implemented.

Meanwhile, The Federal Government is pursuing a similar enforcement drive in Lagos, where indiscriminate truck parking has become a persistent source of congestion around major port corridors.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Nigerian Ports Authority, Ade-John warned that trucks found obstructing the Coastal Road and Deep-Sea Port Access Road would be impounded and transferred to approved truck parks.

The warning is aimed at keeping the strategic routes open and preventing unauthorised truck parking from undermining traffic movement and road safety.

The affected corridor provides access to major maritime infrastructure, making uninterrupted movement important for the transportation of cargo between ports, businesses and markets.