The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently commence technical studies for the construction of an alternative access road connecting the Keffi-Karu corridor directly into the Abuja city centre. The legislative intervention aims to eliminate a major strategic vulnerability, improve emergency response capabilities, and alleviate severe daily traffic congestion.
The resolution followed a motion presented by Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, who alerted the House to the grave national security and economic risks posed by relying on a single entry route from the North-East and parts of the North-Central regions into the nation’s capital.
Key Concerns Raised by the House
Single Point of Failure for Critical Entry Route: The Keffi-Karu corridor serves as the primary gateway into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for commuters and trade from Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Bauchi, and northern Cross River States. Unlike other major entry points into Abuja, this axis lacks an alternative bypass, leaving it dangerously exposed during accidents, infrastructure damage, or deliberate sabotage.
National Security and Troop Deployment Risks: Lawmakers highlighted a major security vulnerability involving the 177 Guards Battalion in Keffi, a key unit of the Guards Brigade tasked with securing the FCT. Should the Keffi-Karu route become blocked or breached during a national emergency, rapid military reinforcement to the city centre could be severely compromised.
Economic Hardship & Traffic Congestion: Daily vehicular movement along the axis has far outpaced existing road capacity, causing chronic gridlock that burdens commuters, stifles regional commerce, and hinders the swift movement of emergency services.
To address these vulnerabilities and future-proof the capital’s transport infrastructure, the House resolved to:
- Urge the Federal Ministry of Works, in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to undertake a comprehensive technical and engineering feasibility study for an alternative access road linking the Keffi-Karu axis to Abuja, exploring potential alignments through Mpape, Asokoro, or other technically viable corridors.
- Mandate the Committees on FCT and Works to collaborate with key security and infrastructure stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Works, FCTA, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Federal Ministry of Defence, and the Nigerian Army, to evaluate the security, economic, and strategic dimensions of the project.
The joint committee is mandated to lay its report and actionable recommendations before the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
