The Nasarawa State Government has commenced the construction of a flyover at Total Junction in Keffi as part of efforts to reduce recurring road crashes that have reportedly claimed 225 lives at the accident prone location.
The project was disclosed during an inspection tour of infrastructure projects by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team across Benue and Nasarawa states.
The five day inspection tour, led by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, is aimed at assessing major infrastructure projects being executed by the Federal and state governments.
The Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Urban Development Agency (NSUDA), Alhaji Wada Mohammed, said the flyover is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Mohammed explained that the project became necessary because of the frequent crashes recorded along the Abuja Keffi road, particularly around Total Junction, due to the road alignment and configuration of the junction.
He said the project, which includes a circular intersection, will cover approximately one kilometre, with ramps designed to meet required gradient and bridge headroom standards.
According to him, the completed flyover will enable motorists travelling beyond Keffi to pass safely above the junction rather than navigating the dangerous ground level intersection.
Mohammed attributed the project to improved funding available to the state government, saying the administration was deploying resources to projects capable of delivering direct benefits to residents and other road users.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abdullahi Sule, Mr Ibrahim Adra, described the flyover as one of the administration’s major legacy projects and an important intervention on a federal highway.
Adra said the area had witnessed several serious crashes, including incidents in which vehicles lost control and crashed into residential buildings, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of property.
He explained that the project formed part of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy, developed following a statewide assessment conducted by Governor Sule shortly after assuming office.
According to him, the flyover is expected to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, stimulate commercial activities and enhance the appearance of Keffi, which has experienced significant growth in recent years.
A resident and Total Filling Station dealer, Alhaji Shehu Alagbe, who said he had lived in Keffi for 45 years, described the frequent crashes at the junction as a major concern for residents.
Alagbe expressed optimism that the flyover would restore confidence among motorists, improve traffic movement and create better conditions for businesses operating around the area.
He commended the Federal and Nasarawa State governments for the intervention and appealed for the timely completion of the project.
Meanwhile, the inspection team also assessed the Makurdi Jos Federal Highway and other road infrastructure connecting the region.
The NSUDA managing director explained that the Federal Government awarded the expansion and dualisation of the Keffi Akwanga Lafia Makurdi road in 2021, but the project scope did not cover Akwanga Township.
He said the Nasarawa State Government subsequently constructed about four kilometres of road to connect the two federal highways through Akwanga Central in response to increasing traffic and congestion.
The state government also constructed a 600 metre overhead structure aimed at further improving traffic flow, particularly along the increasingly busy route linking different parts of the country.
Mohammed said the infrastructure would allow motorists travelling from the South East towards the North East to use the underpass without intersecting traffic at the same level, thereby improving movement and reducing congestion within Akwanga.
The projects are expected to improve road safety, ease traffic movement, strengthen connectivity and support economic activities across Keffi, Akwanga and other communities along the corridor.
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