FG removes all barriers on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

To ensure a hitch free transit, the Federal Government has ordered that all road barriers and diversions along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway be removed.

With the development, the contractors handling the project are to leave site and suspend all ongoing construction works in the axis until January 2023.

The FG also urged motorists and other road users plying the route to exercise caution while trying to maximise speed on the newly opened road which is almost complete.

Carrying out the directive on Section two of the road, which spans Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo, Ibadan, Ogun Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mrs Forosola Oloyede said the partial opening of the road was to enable users have easier motorable experience this festive period.

Oloyede also supervised the removal of crash barriers and other diversion points for the free flow of traffic on the Soka area, Sanyo Ibadan.

According to Oloyede, who is also the engineer representative of the section two of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriage way project, the removal of the barriers was done in accordance with the directive from the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola.

The Minister had ordered that all barriers on Federal Roads where construction works are ongoing should be removed for free flow of traffic for the yuletide.

She noted that the removal of the barriers on the section two, would enhance smooth traffic on the entire road stretch, urging motorist not to be tempted to drive above speed limit as a result of the road smoothness.

Oloyede further disclosed that five pedestrian bridges would be construction on the section two of the road, saying work on the pedestrian bridges would soon commence.

On the completion date, the Ogun Controller of Works said “Initially the project was scheduled to be completed by this December 2022 but we couldn’t keep to that date due to some hiccups beyond our control.

“But I can assure you that this project will be completed by March 31, 2023.

Mr Naor Narkis, the project manager, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) handling the project, said the work has reached 85 per cent completion stage.

He assured Nigerians, especially motorists plying the road that his company would deliver the project by March, 2023.

Narkis hinted that RCC will by the Minister directive be on break to allow its workers go for Christmas and New Year holiday, “but we will resume work by January 2023, to complete the project.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Mr Adelaja Ogungbemi, enjoined motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations during the yuletide.

“Motorists and other road users should make efforts to drive safely on the road, such efforts should include consciousness.

“They should know that the road is not a place where you will not be serious because driving during this yuletide period require that you should know that there are dangers inherent on the road and have to be careful,” Ogungbemi said.

The FRSC officer urged motorists to always be patient while on the road, “they shouldn’t involve in speeding, overloading and make use of good tyres.”

He further said that FRSC has intensified its patrol on roads and that patrol vehicles of the commission wouldn’t be stationed not more that seven kilometers apart, to enable its officers respond timely in case of any crash.

A cross section of motorists commended the federal government and the construction company handling the project for removing what they described as ‘obstruction’.

They appreciated government for listening to road users’ complains about gridlock on the Ibadan tollgate – Sawmill Onipepeye bridge axis.

Mr Rotimi Adeniyi, a taxi driver plying Tollgate – Iwo Road route, said removal of the barriers would improve his business as he would be able to drive on smooth road without traffic, thereby make more money.

Another motorist, John Olayemi, a commercial driver, plying Lagos-Ibadan route, said removal of barriers on section one and two of the road would make him and other commercial drivers on the road, spend less hours on the road.

Olayemi who expressed joy over the new development, implored the contractor handling the project to ensure that it delivers quality job to enable the road to last longer.

On her part, Mrs Eunice Ogunsola, a civil servant residing at Soka area of Ibadan, said the new development, henceforth, would make her to get to work, at the state secretariat, saying it hasn’t be ease for her in the last two months.

“We thank FG and RCC for removing the barriers, at least it will lessen our pains and that of other road users. Before, we spent hours in the gridlock caused by the obstruction,, but now things have improved” Ogunsola said.