Rep decries state of Kaduna-Abuja road over airport closure

A member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Rita Orji, has vowed never to travel on the Abuja-Kaduna road following the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

Orji said in an interview that she does not support the decision to divert traffic to the road because it is prone to kidnapping and armed robbery.

According to her, she would prefer to remain in Abuja for the six weeks that the airport would be repaired, or travel through the Abuja-Lagos road.

Orji, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Matters, cautioned that the security challenges on the road might force foreign countries to ban their citizens from travelling.

The lawmaker, who represents Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency in Lagos, explained that some lawmakers had been kidnapped along the Jos-Kaduna road, while others escaped attacks.

Dismissing the assurance of protection by security agents, she warned that forcing travellers to use the road would expose the lawmakers and foreigners to danger.

“The assurance of protection by security agents is not new in the country. Was there no curfew in Southern Kaduna on the day that the people were massacred?” she asked.

Orji noted that although safety is in the hands of God, but there is need for individuals to protect themselves from danger.

She said the repair of airport runway could have been done in phases instead of shutting down the entire airport for six weeks.