Chaos on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as contractors stop work

The stop of work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has complicated traffic situation there, passengers and traffic management officials have cried out.

Chaos returned to the ever-busy highway when Julius Berger and RCC handling phases one and two of the project left their sites, abandoning the reconstruction project which had reached advanced stage at both ends of the two phases: Lagos-Shagamu and Shagamu-Ibadan.

Checks by our correspondent at the weekend showed that the construction officials deserted the sites leaving many sections of the expressway cluttered with narrow sections and road diversions.

There was a huge traffic snarl on the expressway throughout Saturday when several trucks broke down on the narrowed lanes. This was further compounded by the monthly activities of churches on the expressway.

Many travelers and motorists were stuck for hours when a trailer fully loaded with aluminum materials blocked one of the lanes. The traffic stretched to the early hours of yesterday before officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) evacuated the articulated vehicle.

A commercial motorist plying LagosIbadan, Mr. Ayodele Shina, said he spent over six hours from Lagos to Ibadan. He and many other motorists as well as passengers called on the Federal Government to resolve whatever made the contractors to leave the expressway in such disarray.

Speaking with our correspondent, Zonal Commander of FRSC, Mr. Shehu Saki said road safety officials were being over-stretched as a result of the chaos.

He commended Governor Bello for approving the construction of an overhead pedestrian bridge near the college gate to prevent further accidents and loss of lives.