By Seun Ibiyemi
The Lagos State Government has appealed to motorists to exercise patience as severe traffic congestion persists on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following a fallen tanker and ongoing rehabilitation work at the Kara Bridge.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, made the appeal on Wednesday, saying the fallen tanker had been evacuated by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA.
Musa, however, said the traffic situation was worsened by motorists driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way.
He said additional traffic officers had been deployed to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis to manage the congestion and improve traffic flow.
According to him, the state government is working with relevant stakeholders, including the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, and LASTMA, to ease the situation.
The Permanent Secretary also said ongoing rehabilitation work at Kara Bridge had contributed to the temporary inconvenience experienced by motorists.
He explained that the rehabilitation was necessary to preserve the critical transport infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety, functionality and resilience of the Kara Bridge corridor.
Musa assured motorists that the rehabilitation work would be completed soon.
Also speaking, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said officials of the agency had continued to work round the clock to improve traffic movement along the affected corridor.
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He urged motorists to remain patient and avoid driving against traffic whenever there was an obstruction on the road.
Bakare-Oki said LASTMA would continue its public advocacy campaigns to encourage voluntary compliance with traffic regulations.
He also advised motorists to explore alternative routes to reduce pressure on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
According to him, motorists can use the Ikorodu Garage–Ogijo–Sagamu route, connecting through Lotto to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Those travelling towards Lagos and adjoining destinations may also consider the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, he said.
Bakare-Oki added that motorists heading towards Ijebu-Ode could use the Ikorodu-Ijebu-Ode route to reduce pressure on the Kara Bridge corridor and improve traffic distribution.
The Lagos State Government urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the alternative routes, plan their journeys ahead and comply with directives from accredited traffic management personnel.
Motorists can also call 3367 to report traffic-related issues for prompt intervention.
