APC Convention: Vehicular movement restricted

Some major roads in Abuja were on Saturday restricted from motorists due to the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) holding in the city.
Most affected were Shehu Shagari Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, Constitution Avenue and Ralph Shodeinde Street, which lead to Eagle Square venue of the convention.
The roads were condoned off by combined security and traffic management team, a situation that caused vehicular movement hardship along those areas.
The agencies involved in the exercise included Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The development resulted in gridlock at points of diversion from the affected routes and some “arteries’’.
Locations such as Bullet Junction, Ministry of Finance Junction, Benue Plaza, Bayelsa House Junction and Mosque Junction were effectively blocked with patrol vans and tow trucks of the various agencies.
Buses and other vehicles that conveyed party members from different parts of the country were seen parked on pavements and roadsides outside the security cordon, leaving little space for passersby.
The traffic management personnel were able to effectively handle the situation.
Although FCTA announced on Thursday that traffic would be diverted through alternative routes, some of the motorists and residents who spoke said they were not aware.
Mr Prince Uchenna, a commercial bus driver plying the Mararaba-Wuse route, said the announcement should have been made at least a week before the convention date.
“On my first trip from Mararaba this morning, I spent almost an hour at Bullet Junction because the place was jammed by vehicles making U-turn.
“I would have avoided that road if I heard the announcement you are talking about”.
Miss Angela Usani, a taxi operator, said the situation could have been worse if the convention held on a week day.
“Traffic is usually light on weekends, otherwise the stress would have been much more than we are seeing now.
“All we are saying is that the authorities should inform us well ahead of time so that we know how to plan our movements,’’ she said.
When contacted on phone for comment, FCTA Transport Secretary, Mr Kayode Opeifa, apologised for “any inconvenience” experienced by motorists as a result of the route re-ordering.
“We can do better, but under the current circumstance, we have done well,” Opeifa said and thanking residents and motorists for their understanding and cooperation.