The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently redesign major road projects in Kaduna State, warning that the absence of pedestrian infrastructure has turned the Kaduna Eastern Bye-Pass and the Kaduna-Zaria Highway into “death traps” for local residents.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Hussaini Mohammed Jallo, who highlighted a grim reality: the very roads intended to spur economic growth are currently claiming the lives of the schoolchildren, traders, and elderly residents they were built to serve.
Hon. Jallo noted that the ongoing construction by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company has effectively sliced densely populated communities into two. With no safe way to cross the high-speed lanes, thousands of residents are forced to dodge traffic daily.
“These highways effectively divide communities into two distinct parts,” Jallo stated. “The rapid population growth has led to constant movement of residents across the highways, yet there is a glaring absence of designated pedestrian crossings, bridges, and flyovers.”
The House identified several “high-risk” locations where fatalities have become an almost daily occurrence. The resolution specifically demands that the Federal Ministry of Works integrate safety infrastructure at the following points: Rigasa Bakin Ruwa & Danmani Junction, Kurmin Mashi & Mando Motor Park, M/Jos, Unguwa Gwari, and NDC Unguwa Kaji, GDSS Rigachikun, Farakwai, and Jaji and Z/Aya and Kwarau Tasha.
The lawmakers expressed concern that while the roads are vital economic lifelines, they must not become hazards. The House argued that constructing flyovers and pedestrian bridges is a “practical and necessary step” toward safeguarding lives and supporting the long-term urban development of Kaduna
To address the crisis, the House of Representatives resolved to:
- Urge the Federal Ministry of Works to review the designs for the Kaduna Eastern Bye-Pass and Kaduna-Zaria Highway to include flyovers and pedestrian bridges at all identified high-risk junctions.
- Mandate the Federal Ministry of Works to liaise with the Kaduna State Government to ensure safety features are fully integrated into all federal projects within the state.
- Call on the FRSC and KASTLEA to increase public enlightenment and provide temporary pedestrian crossings while permanent structures are being planned.
The Committees on Works and Legislative Compliance is to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the roads and report back within four weeks.
