Karu residents celebrate road project as traffic, flooding ease

Residents, commuters and business owners along the Karu corridor of the Federal Capital Territory have praised the completion of a 15-kilometre road project, saying it has eased traffic congestion, improved drainage and boosted commercial activities in the area.

The road, linking the Karu Interchange on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway to Customs Clinic Junction, was awarded to Abdul-Val Nigeria Limited, also known as Abduval Limited, on August 22, 2025.

The project also covers several feeder roads, including DSS Road, NIA Road, EFCC Road, Primus Hospital Road and Old CBN Quarters Road.

For years, the corridor had been notorious for traffic bottlenecks, flooding and poor road conditions, particularly during the rainy season.

Residents who spoke after the completion said the situation had changed significantly, with improved vehicular movement and better conditions for businesses.

A trader in the area, Chinyere Obasi, said the project had improved both movement and business activities.

“Before, the road wasn’t all that good. And there was nothing like the street lights. But now, as you can see, the road is okay. And our businesses, by the grace of God, is even better than before,” she said.

Obasi thanked President Bola Tinubu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the contractor for the project, praying that they would sustain the pace of infrastructure development.

Another resident, Anita Ogunwunmi, a teacher, said the road had significantly reduced the time she spent commuting to work.

“Before, the congestion on the road was so bad. When rain falls like this, we can’t pass here, but now, everywhere is free. It’s better. We are happy,” she said.

According to Ogunwunmi, the improved traffic situation has allowed her to adjust her daily routine.

“The route is faster. Before, I used to leave very early to come to work, but now I can leave much later. There’s no hold-up, there’s no traffic. It’s free. The road is free, it’s better,” she added.

For motorist and engineer Johnpaul Adamu, the transformation was a sharp departure from the conditions motorists had endured before the project.

“Well, this road has been a major challenge in Karu. If you can remember, 12 months ago, this place was not like this,” Adamu said.

He recalled how flooding, drainage problems and traffic congestion frequently disrupted movement along the corridor.

“Now, wow, this is, let me say, this is city now. We are happy. The infrastructure is working, there’s streetlights. If you come here by 12 midnight, you’ll think this is afternoon. We thank God for everything,” he said.

Adamu also commended Wike for his infrastructure drive in the FCT, saying the minister had made a visible difference in the territory.

“For me in particular, I will say, let it be 4+4 for him, because he has done well,” he said.

“In fact, this is the first minister that I’ve seen that has worked, that has provided infrastructure, water, dams, housing everywhere. Everything is going well. We give God the glory.”

He added, “For me, he’s the best minister I’ve ever seen, FCT Minister in particular.”

The contractor also attributed the completion of the project to the support provided by the FCT administration to indigenous companies.

The Project Manager of Abdul-Val Nigeria Limited, Hacı Cengiz, said the company had demonstrated that Nigerian-owned contractors could successfully execute major infrastructure projects when given the opportunity.

“We are not a foreign company, but thank God we are doing well, and the minister is supporting indigenous companies very well. Thank you, Minister,” Cengiz said.

He described the Karu project as the company’s second major road project to be completed, following its work on the Ushafa road.

“This is the second project we are going 100 per cent we finished. Before in Ushafa, now this Karu project completely finished, 100 per cent completed,” he said.

According to Cengiz, the company completed the Ushafa project ahead of schedule, finishing the 18-month project in seven months.

“For example, in Ushafa, it was 18 months, but we completed seven months, 100 per cent. Now we come here, the same thing in Karu. About 15 kilometres in Karu also, dualisation of the road. And 100 per cent we completed. That is why the minister, Mr Wike, commissioned the project,” he said.

Cengiz said the company had invested in equipment and ensured the availability of construction materials to prevent delays during execution.

He added that the project had created jobs for residents of the host communities, with about 259 workers currently engaged.

“Up till now, about 259 workers are working. Especially, the majority are from the community. Where we are working, we are employing from the community,” he said.

He explained that the economic impact of the project extended beyond the workers directly employed by the contractor, as employees also patronised shops and other businesses within the surrounding communities.

Cengiz further urged governments to continue supporting indigenous contractors, arguing that local companies help retain technical expertise, equipment and investment within the country.

“It is an indigenous company. Our MD is supporting very well, and especially the minister. I want to say: ‘Thank you, Minister,’ because he is supporting the indigenous company,” he said.

“Foreign companies, when they come and do the work, later on after two, four, five years, they go. But indigenous company, and the experience, knowledge, data, everything stay in here.”

“And you see our equipment, this is the big investment for Nigeria.”

For residents and commuters, the completed project has altered the daily experience of travelling through the Karu corridor, with improved road access, street lighting, drainage and reduced congestion offering relief to one of the major entry routes into Abuja.