Kaduna transport union warns of environmental risks from prolonged road works, urges federal action
By Faridat Salifu
The Kaduna State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has raised alarm over the environmental consequences of stalled road construction projects in the state, calling on the Federal Government to expedite the completion of key highway rehabilitations.
Speaking in Kaduna on Wednesday, the State Secretary of the union, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, said the slow pace of work particularly along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and the Kaduna Western Bypass is not only leading to frequent road accidents but also contributing to environmental degradation and increased vehicular emissions.
He noted that prolonged traffic congestion on the damaged roads is causing excessive fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and stress on vehicles, all of which carry broader ecological and economic consequences.
“Vehicles spend two hours just trying to navigate out of Kaduna due to failed portions of the road,” Ibrahim said. “This isn’t just a transportation issue; it’s an environmental concern. The emissions from idling vehicles are polluting our air and worsening public health.”
He warned that the situation was forcing some transporters to abandon Kaduna routes altogether, leading to increased pressure on other corridors such as Zuba-Abuja, and indirectly raising the environmental burden on alternate roadways.
The union official further described the Kaduna Western Bypass as a “death trap” due to recurring crashes, many of which involve oil and fuel tankers—posing risks of spills and soil contamination along the corridor.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Works to enforce strict timelines and climate-resilient construction methods among contractors, especially with the onset of the rainy season increasing the risk of erosion, flooding, and waterlogging along incomplete road sections.
“The contractors must be compelled to work with urgency and climate-aware engineering practices,” Ibrahim said. “These roads are not just economic arteries they’re part of our urban and environmental fabric.”
In addition, he commended Governor Uba Sani for streamlining transportation systems by relocating all commercial vehicle operations to the Mando Mega Motor Park, a move that has reportedly reduced illegal park activities, improved security, and enhanced orderly travel that can support eco-friendly mobility planning.
Ibrahim also advised the public to avoid roadside pickups and instead board vehicles only at approved motor parks, noting that organised transit reduces environmental hazards associated with roadside congestion, haphazard stops, and unregulated vehicle emissions.
He reaffirmed the union’s commitment to working with the state and federal governments, as well as security agencies, to ensure cleaner, safer, and more sustainable transport operations across Kaduna State.
