Hundreds of motorists and commuters plying the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway groaned in frustration on Wednesday as they were stuck in gridlock caused by a trailer accident at the Isheri – Oke end of the expressway.
The accident , which occurred around 5 . 30 am , reportedly happened after the trailer fell into a pothole on the road.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the accident obstructed free flow of traffic for hours , as many people, who were stranded at bus stops , trekked to their various destinations .
The trailer driver told our correspondent that he lost control of the vehicle when one of his tires burst after entering the pothole .
He said , “ The accident happened around 5 . 45 am . I was on my way to deliver cartons of biscuits in Taraba State when I drove into the pothole . My tire burst and I lost control of the vehicle . I thank God that I am alive . ”
A trader , Oluwadamilare Qaudri , said she had spent over two hours in the gridlock .
She said , “I am heading for Berger , from where I intend to board a bus to Ibadan , Oyo State . But the traffic has been terrible . I have spent almost two hours inside the bus just to get to Berger from Ketu . ”
Our correspondent also gathered that some vehicles developed mechanical faults on the road , which worsened the gridlock .
A motorist , Aladeotan Modioluwamu , who claimed to have been in the gridlock for five hours , said , “my car broke down . After I repaired it, I still joined the traffic . ”
An electrical contractor , Wasiu Olunloyo, appealed to the Federal Government to repair the road to avert tragedy
The 53 – year – old said , “ We have a lot of potholes on the road ; it will not cost the government anything to repair the road . But they have refused to do that . I appeal to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to be up and doing and save us this agony . ”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer , CSP Chike Oti , said the traffic unit of the command was mobilised to the scene to regulate the traffic .
He said , “As soon as we heard about the accident , we mobilised our traffic unit to the scene to create a corridor for other vehicles to pass . To ensure speedy removal of the fallen truck , we also contacted the relevant agencies . We have commenced investigation to find out the cause of the accident . ”
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State , Adedamola Kuti , said users of the road had been advised to drive with caution because the road was undergoing rehabilitation .
He said , “I am aware that there was an accident, but I cannot say precisely what caused it. Nigerians are aware that the road is under construction and we have always asked people to drive with caution . We are putting measures in place to ensure that the road is rehabilitated . ”
Meanwhile , Lagos residents plying the Ikorodu Road have appealed to the state government to carry out urgent repairs on the Mile 12 , Kosofe end of the road .
Our correspondent gathered that commuters and motorists using the road usually endured long hours of traffic .
A commuter, Omowunmi Adekoya , said she once spent four hours on the road for a distance that usually took few minutes.
An automobile mechanic , Olamilekan Adebanjo , 28 , added that when commuters were fed up with the gridlock , they usually risked their lives by boarding motorcycles to their destinations .
“ I do sell drinks at Ojota and I pass the Ikorodu Road to Ojota every day . The traffic is really affecting my business ; I don ’ t meet my target because I do not get to the market early. I want the government to patch the pothole because it is affecting us , ” a trader , Olukoga Mojisola , said .
The Public Relations Officer , Lagos State Ministry of Transportation , Tunji Bakare , had yet to respond to enquiries from our correspondent as of the time of filing this report .
Source PUNCH .
