As the All Progressives Congress’ Special National Convention for Presidential Primary entered its second day, motorists and commuters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) lamented the pains they had to endure as a result of the traffic gridlock that has surfaced in parts of the city.
Traffic jams may not be strange to Abuja drivers, but what has been obviously different since Monday is motorists entering the city centre from the outskirts being made to wait for several hours while others are forced to turn back upon realising that their day had become useless.
All these are due to traffic diversions around the Eagle Square venue of the APC convention.
This has adversely affected business with many estimating that the restriction of movement has caused the city billions of naira.
Unlike other roads in the FCT, all the conventional busy routes such as the Ahmadu Bello Way, Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, Muhammadu Buhari Way, and Moshood Abiola Way, which are synonymous with traffic logjams were free on Tuesday due to lower vehicular movements.
The FCT Police Command had on Monday, 5 June announced the diversion of traffic on major roads that connect to the heart of the city where the three arms zone – which accommodates the Federal Secretariat, the National Assembly, Aso Rock Villa, and several government institutions and establishments are located – is located.
Areas listed to be affected by the diversion include Goodluck Ebele Jonathan by Court of Appeal point, ECOWAS by Women Affairs Way, Kur Mohammed by National Mosque, Benue Plaza, Nitel junction, Phase 3, NNPC Towers, NASS Junction, and Gana by Transcorp Way.
The routes and areas affected by the road blockages and traffic diversions imply commuters coming from the outskirts of the FCT and the neighbouring states have been shut out of business activities inside the city.
A motorist who identified himself as Chinedu Onwe said the restrictions of movement around the city have drained him financially and emotionally.
"For the past two days, Abuja has experienced unusually heavy traffic gridlock arising from the APC Presidential convention.
“Many roads within the city centre were blocked and as a result, commuters have been subjected to untold hardship, particularly civil servants who go to work at the Federal secretariat within the precinct where the convention venue is located.
“Many of them have stayed back home because they don't want to be stuck in a traumatising traffic situation.
“So many commuters have also abandoned their businesses for two days now because of the situation. One will say that a lot of money has been lost."
