No respite yet for motorists on Lagos-Ibadan Highway

As RCCG yearly convention worsens their pains…

Although Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the contractor handling the Lagos end of the 127.6km long Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has created an access road to ease traffic near the Long Bridge, it may not yet be Uhuru for motorists due to several failed portions on the road.

The nation’s oldest expressway was commissioned in August 1978 during the military administration of Major-General Olusegun Obasanjo.

Also, the ongoing international convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which is coming to an end at the weekend, may worsen the already difficult situation on the busy highway.

Already, residents and commuters along the corridor have started considering alternative options, while they endure the nightmare on the road.

According to a motorist, Ojo Ayinde, we are in for a real nightmare considering the heavy vehicular movements expected this weekend, because there is still several bad spots that dot the expressway.

The motorist, who works in Victoria Island, lamented that the suffering on the road has become perennial because of government’s long neglect of the busiest inter-state route in the country.

He said: “For the past two months, Julius Berger started repair/extension work on the bridge. Since then, no remarkable process has been made.

“They only demarcated some sections of the road inward Lagos into two, thereby making commuting very clumsy and horrendous.

“The worst case scenario is when heavy-duty truck occupies the road, no extra vehicle will be accommodated and the long stretch of the traffic caused is better imagined than stated.

“As if that is not enough, motorists suffer double jeopardy on their way back from Lagos inward Ibadan. The cause of this is the badly failed portion from Warewa to Arepo. This very bad spot has gullies, potholes and craters that make driving difficult.

“The situation is worsened whenever it rains as a greater part of the road will be flooded. On a very bad day, the hold-up caused by that portion could stretch from Arepo to the Berger area of Lagos.”

Another motorist, Emmanuel Obisike, said it was bad judgment to start repairs from the bridge when they are several bad portions on the road. “The construction firm has continued to operate as they like, while government turn the blind eye.

“It was the same thing last year, when towards the Redeemed church convention, some repairs were hurriedly done by Ogun State government because the Vice President would be visiting the camp.

“This week again, we are in another convention hassles and the contractor seems to be waking up from slumber by hurriedly opening up a route to ease traffic.”

Also expressing his frustration on the road, a lawyer, who lives at Magboro, Godwin Omeregbe, lamented that the resultant effect of this traffic is the breakdown of vehicles on the road.

However, an engineer with Julius Berger, who did not want to be mentioned, said work has been intensified on the bridge to ensure early completion of the rehabilitation.

He also debunked the allegation of conspiracy, saying motorists should show understanding with the construction firm in order to ensure quality service delivery on the road.