Lagos-Ibadan Expressway not totally closed – Oyeyemi

Contrary to the widely held belief among some members of the public that the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been totally closed to traffic, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has clarified that it was only a section of the road that traffic is being diverted to the opposite side to enable the ongoing construction work along the road progress without hindrances.
The Corps Marshal made the clarification over the weekend while speaking to reporters after an inspection tour of the road to ascertain the level of work already completed.
According to Bisi Kazeem, the FRSC’s Head, Media Relations and Strategy, the Corps Marshal, who was on physical inspection of the portion, was visibly disturbed by the hardship being experienced by commuters due to the temporary closure of the section of the road.
He appealed for patience, saying when fully completed, the road users would heave a sigh of relief.
According to him, it was with difficulty that the approval for the temporary closure of the section of the road was given to the construction company, noting that given the need to complete the road within the stipulated time and the volume of traffic being attracted along the route, the Corps was left with no option but to grant the request.
Oyeyemi said: “We are not happy with the hardship being experienced by the commuters, but we know that it is only a temporary sacrifice that has to be borne by people to allow for unhindered work on the road.”
The Corps Marshal further stated that it is not all the parts of highway that was affected by the diversion order, but only a 5km stretch before the interchange along the Lagos-Ibadan axis of the road.
He added that the Ibadan to Lagos axis of the road remains fully open to traffic except where those diverted had to share the road with oncoming vehicles.
“This calls for greater patience and tolerance on the part of the motorists in the collective desire to ensure orderliness at the spot,” he further stated..
The Corps Marshal stressed that from the assurances given by the construction companies, he was convinced that the work is progressing according to schedules and would be completed within time limit.
Oyeyemi added that the heightened gridlock witnessed on Friday was due to some religious programmes taking place along the route, which contributed to the unusual traffic build up, assuring however that appropriate measures are being taken to reduce people’s hardship.
He strongly warned those that take advantage of the situation to drive against traffic, vowing that such offenders would not be spared of sanctions if caught.
In another development, the Corps Marshal has expressed dismay over the rising cases of overloading among some drivers across the country.
Oyeyemi, who personally apprehended some recalcitrant drivers operating along the Nasarawa-Keffi Road in Nasarawa State while on the road a few days back, expressed shock at how some drivers do subject their vehicles to excessive loading, which reduces the stability of the vehicles, increases their rate of wear and tear and reduces the ability of the drivers to manoeuvre in the event of a crash.
This, he said, is unacceptable to the Corps and offenders would not go unpunished.
Oyeyemi further observed that most of the overloading offences are being committed in the night when offenders assume that members of the law enforcement agencies, especially the FRSC patrol teams, would have left the road.
He however promised that he would be personally involved in the renewed campaign that would lead to impoundment and possible prosecution of such offenders.
He specially called on the transport unions across the country to sustain the ongoing campaign against overloading, which makes it impossible for all vehicles leaving the regular motor parks to carry extra passengers.
The Corps Marshal enjoined all drivers to duly observe traffic rules and regulations, especially with increased human and vehicular movement being experienced in the ember months.
He assured members of the public that, as usual, the FRSC and relevant stakeholders have mobilised and mapped out strategies that could lead to safer road environment for all road travellers during the festivities and beyond.
“My appeal to all road users during this period and beyond is to always observe the traffic rules and regulations and let remembrance of their loved ones at home serve as a self regulation against the tendency to speed,” Oyeyemi stated.