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Moves to ease Karu–Abuja road congestion
By Abel Leonard, Lafia
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has flagged off a tree planting campaign to mitigate the negative effects of climate change in the state, with a pledge to also construct alternative routes and a flyover/underpass to ease the persistent traffic congestion on the Karu–Abuja road.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Wednesday in Karu Local Government Area (LGA), Sule said the initiative was aimed at promoting greener pastures, mitigating the effects of climate change, and enhancing the overall well-being of the residents.
The governor added that his administration’s efforts align with the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to environmental conservation and community development.
“The campaign seeks to beautify the state, reduce the impact of erosion, and foster a healthier environment for residents,” Sule added.
He further explained that the state government has distributed more than sufficient waste bins to all the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state for proper disposal of waste.
He said when waste that is poorly managed is organised through a climate-smart approach, it can be converted and used for agricultural purposes and power generation for economic prosperity.
Speaking on the traffic congestion in Karu, the governor said the government has requested funding from the Federal Government for the construction of alternative routes in Mararaba, Gitata, and Gurku and to construct a flyover/underpass to curtail the frequent congestion in the area.
On her part, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, called on the residents of the state to join hands with the government to preserve the environment and keep it clean to guard against diseases and disasters.
Elayo attributed environmental challenges in most communities to improper management of waste, adding that this could lead to climate change and desertification.
She urged residents to properly dispose of their waste in the bins provided at strategic locations for pick-up by the Nasarawa State Waste Management Agency (NASWAMSA).
In their remarks, the Esu Karu, Luka Panya-Baba, and the Chairman, Karu LGA, Abubakar Madaki, complained that the blockade of the roads in Old Karu and Rugan Madaki is causing untold hardship to motorists, thereby worsening the traffic challenges in the area.