By Yemi Olakitan
Perhaps the most difficult route for all parties in 2022 was the 127-kilometer Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria’s busiest highway, which has been undergoing rehabilitation/reconstruction since 2013.
The construction companies managing the project, traffic regulation organisations, motorists, commuters, tourists, and other stakeholders all have stories to share.
Gridlock, accidents, fires in fuel tankers, lost man hours and other difficulties brought hardship and terrifying experiences.
On the first leg of the project, which runs from Ojota in Lagos to the Sagamu Interchange, this was felt the most near construction zones.
Mrs. Gloria Faisal, a resident of Sparklight Estate in Arepo, claimed that she abandoned her vehicle for more than 10 months as a result of the gridlock and congestion brought on by construction projects and irresponsible driving.
Commercial bus driver Mr. Anayo Valentine, who travels the Ojodu Berger to Magboro route, claimed that transport companies increased prices by over 1,000% as a result of traffic congestion.
Traffic control and law enforcement services eventually became overburdened by the careless driving of irate drivers who drove against the flow of traffic to avoid hours of standstill.
Additionally, they helplessly let motorcades of the wealthy class to participate in the irresponsibility.
To meet deadlines, many locals and company owners on the axis were forced to choose the risky route of taking numerous commercial motorbike rides through the chaos.
On December 12, the Federal Ministry of Works ceased all construction activities and took down all obstructions and detours around the project’s section one construction zones.
The highway was reopened to ensure easy travel throughout the holiday season, but the construction work was not finished, according to Mr. Adedamola Kuti, Director of Federal Highways, South-West.
He announced a new completion date of March 2023 and stated that the contractors would likely return to the site in January.
Kuti clarified that the initial December 2022 delivery date was not feasible due to a number of unforeseeable events, such as persistent rain.
Many people found solace in the traffic calming that came when the work was suspended and the barriers were taken down. The Nigerian Union of Journalists’ Lagos State Chairman, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, expressed relief at the development.
He urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the dry season to complete the motorway by the newly scheduled date of March 2023 before the rainy season.
Malam Abdullahi Inuwa, a fruit dealer in Mowe, claimed that the free movement was having a favourable effect on business and that he could now move freely between different marketplaces in Lagos and Ogun to restock.
On December 17, Mrs. Forosola Oloyede, the Federal Controller of Works in Ogun, followed suit and oversaw the dismantling of all crash barriers and detour locations on Project Section Two, which runs from Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo in Ibadan.
Because of the smoothness of the road, she advised drivers to resist the temptation to exceed the posted speed limit.
