By Demi Adeniyi
Lagos and Ogun State governments have vowed to prosecute anyone who drives against traffic (one-way) on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The move it was learnt was to prevent the reoccurrence of the congestion experienced by motorists between Opic-Berger, from Friday 26th and Saturday 27th August, 2022.
Many stranded motorists had slept on the road, between Friday and Sunday, as no one was able to move inward and outward of Lagos due to the congestion which totally blocked the expressway.
A statement by the Lagos State Transportation Commissioner, Dr Frederic Oladeinde assured motorists that LASTMA and TRACE officials would henceforth prosecute anyone found flouting the transportation regulation to serve as deterrence to others.
Oladeinde said the two state governments would continue to work with the Federal Ministry of Works Nd Housing to ensure the timely completion of the expressway.
Oladeinde said as highlighted in a statement released by the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. F. Oloyede, the massive traffic gridlock experienced at the weekend, was “as a result of the impatience of some motorists who drive against traffic at the slightest excuse, thus causing enormous hardship to other motorists.”
As agreed by all parties, the contractor has been directed to block all illegal road diversions, especially between Magboro and OPIC. This is to prevent the illegal U-turn at OPIC, which also acecerbates the gridlock within that axis.
“Law Enforcement Agencies, including the Police, FRSC and LASTMA, have been engaged to control traffic along the route. Any motorist caught removing any of the barriers used in blocking all illegal diversions will be arrested and prosecuted. Motorists are, therefore, advised to desist from this or face the full wrath of the law.
“Lagos and Ogun Traffic Management Personnel are available to ensure free flow of traffic. Motorists who drive against the traffic (one-way) or make a turn at unauthorized junctions will regret their indiscretion. They will be prosecuted,” he said.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway rehabilitation has been embarked upon by successive Nigerian governments since 1999.
When it came on board in 2015, the Buhari administration had promised to accelerate the rehabilitation and delivery of same to Nigerians.
It has however continued to twerk the rehabilitation by adding newer features that ensured the project delivery continued to suffer multiple postponements.
The government as at last year however indicated the road would eventually be delivered by December 2022, as one of the several parting gifts of the Buhari administration, whose tenure expires May 29, 2023 to Nigerians.
The Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola had promised that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge are among several that the administration would be handing over to Nigeria before the next cycle of elections in the country.