The Federal Road Safety Corps has expressed frustration with motorists for not cooperating with its personnel on the Lokoja-Abuja road.

Kumar Tsukwam, sector commander in Kogi, said FRSC personnel have been battling to clear the gridlock on the road since Sunday.

“The situation is sad and very unfortunate, considering the time motorists and commuters spend before crossing the gridlock to continue with their journey. The gridlock is from Ogbobo/Ozi to the Murtala Mohammed Bridge at Koton-Karfe in Kogi.

“Aside from the fact tha the road is under construction, some vehicles broke down on the single lane, coupled with motorists’ impatience. I think motorists are to blame for their display of impatience and blocking their colleagues coming from the opposite direction. We are trying our best to clear the road to ensure easy passage for the travellers on the road,” he said.

A motorist, Mohammed Yusuf, said he spent nine hours on the road before reaching Lokoja from Abuja.

“I had passengers from Abuja traveling to Lokoja. I left Abuja some minutes to 3 on Sunday, but could only reach Lokoja by midnight,” stated Mr Yusuf. “I’m here at Natako park this Monday morning, trying to get passengers to return to Abuja with the hope that the gridlock might have reduced.”

According to him, motorists are burning fuel on the road even in this era of high fuel prices.

A commuter, Christopher Adamu, said that he spent the whole night in the gridlock because he left Abuja in the evening on Sunday.

Mr Adamu called on the authorities to take drastic measures to clear the gridlock, enabling travellers to move freely along the Lokoja-Abuja road.

A construction company is working on the right side of the Lokoja-Abuja road from Koton-Karfe to Abaji.

Mr Adamu said that from the Murtala Mohammed Bridge to Koton-Karfe, the right lane was blocked.

(NAN)