Heavy Traffic as Julius Berger Resumes Construction on Long Bridge, Motorists Express Frustration
Motorists and other road users have expressed deep frustration over the prolonged delay in completing the Ojoo section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a critical infrastructure project. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ibadan, the respondents voiced their dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work, which they believe has significantly contributed to frequent accidents along the expressway.
The delay, they say, has led to a series of crashes, particularly at various sections of the road, resulting in numerous casualties. Just recently, a tragic accident at the Agbowo-Ojoo section claimed 16 lives and left 17 others injured after a MACK truck suffered brake failure and collided with other vehicles. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, attributing the cause to the truck’s brake failure, which was exacerbated by the ongoing roadwork obstructing one side of the expressway.
Motorists have called on the Federal Government to take urgent action by pressuring the construction company, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), to expedite the completion of the project. They argue that the delays not only disrupt their daily commutes but also endanger lives, as the road conditions have become increasingly hazardous.
Ezekiel Ayoade, a taxi driver who regularly navigates the Iwo Road-Ojoo route, criticized the construction company’s perceived indifference to the dangers faced by road users, particularly in the accident-prone Agbowo-Ojoo area. He lamented that motorists are left to rely on “God’s mercy” as they confront these daily risks.
Alhaji Saheed Olumore, a commercial driver on the Ibadan-Ilorin route, echoed these sentiments, describing the situation as “not encouraging.” He urged the Federal Government to intervene, stressing that lives are being lost weekly due to the ongoing delays. Olumore warned that it should not take the death of a high-profile individual for the government to recognize the severity of the problem.
Another road user, Caleb Ajayi, voiced the public’s growing impatience, stating that it is high time the government addressed the plight of road users. He called on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to summon RCC to explain the reasons behind the delay, despite earlier assurances that the project would be completed by January 2024.
An anonymous RCC staff member attributed the delays to the Federal Government’s slow release of funds. He mentioned that the company has only been able to carry out skeletal work since April, pending the availability of necessary funds to complete the project. While acknowledging the challenges, he appealed to motorists, especially in the Agbowo-Ojoo area, to exercise caution when using the road.
As the completion of the Ojoo section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway continues to be delayed, the calls for government intervention grow louder, with road users demanding swift action to prevent further loss of lives.
