By Rotimi Ijikanmi
The Nasarawa Government says it is constructing a flyover at Total Junction, Keffi, to curb recurring crashes that have claimed 225 lives.

The government disclosed this during an inspection tour of projects by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team across Benue and Nasarawa states.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-day tour was led by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesperson, to inspect infrastructure projects.

Alhaji Wada Mohammed, Managing Director, Nasarawa State Urban Development Agency (NSUDA), said the flyover would be completed by the end of 2026.

Mohammed said the project became necessary because the Abuja-Keffi road had recorded frequent crashes due to its alignment and the junction’s configuration.

He said the flyover, including a circular intersection, would extend about one kilometre, with ramps adjusted to meet the required gradient and bridge headroom standards.

“Once completed, anyone travelling beyond Keffi will have no business at the ground level but will go over the flyover to a safer destination,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed attributed the project to improved federal funding, saying the state government was utilising available resources to execute projects benefiting residents and Nigerians.

Mr Ibrahim Adra, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abdullahi Sule, described the flyover as one of the administration’s legacy projects and an intervention on a federal highway.

Adra said the section had witnessed horrific crashes, including vehicles losing control and crashing into residential buildings, resulting in deaths and property destruction.

He said the project was part of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy, formulated after Sule conducted a statewide assessment shortly after assuming office.

According to him, the project will improve safety, ease traffic problems, stimulate business activities and enhance the aesthetic appeal of Keffi, a rapidly developing town.

Alhaji Shehu Alagbe, a resident and Total Filling Station dealer, said he had lived in Keffi for 45 years and witnessed frequent crashes at the junction.

Alagbe said crashes occurred regularly, with some incidents causing dozens of deaths, leaving residents traumatised and mourning victims for weeks.

He expressed optimism that the flyover would restore confidence among motorists, increase traffic and boost economic activities for businesses around the area.

Alagbe commended the Federal and Nasarawa governments for the project and prayed for its successful completion.

The flyover is expected to improve road safety, reduce fatalities, restore motorists’ confidence and strengthen commercial activities around Total Junction and other parts of Keffi.

NAN reports that the team also inspected the Makurdi-Jos Federal Highway, which connects with the Keffi-Akwanga Federal Highway at Akwanga Central.

The NSUDA boss said the Federal Government awarded the expansion and dualisation of the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road in 2021, but the scope bypassed Akwanga Township.

He said the state government constructed about four kilometres of road to connect the two federal highways through Akwanga Central, following increased traffic and congestion.

Mohammed said the government also constructed a 600-metre overhead structure to further decongest traffic, particularly following increased movement between southern Nigeria and the North-East.

According to him, motorists travelling from the South-East towards the North-East will use the underpass without intersecting traffic at grade, thereby improving movement through Akwanga limit.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi