Motorists Lament As Ogun Ram Market Causes Gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
Motorists along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway experienced a day of frustration as the bustling activity of buyers and sellers at the Kara Market led to severe traffic congestion, causing gridlock that stretched for kilometers along the highway.
Reporters monitoring the situation observed that sections of the expressway were blocked by livestock trucks unloading their cargo, while sellers displayed their animals on the road, further obstructing traffic flow.
The congestion was particularly severe heading out of Lagos, with the backlog stretching to the OPIC area, while the queue heading into Lagos started from Arepo.
The increased trading activity is attributed to the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival, where the demand for livestock, especially rams and cows, surges.
However, stranded motorists expressed frustration at the government’s apparent inability to manage the situation, criticizing the disruption caused by traders.
Kazeem, a motor boy caught in the gridlock, voiced his discontent, stating, “How can the government allow these people to use their businesses to affect others? This is not fair to the users of this road. This gridlock started since morning, and it is already getting worse.”
Moses Uche, a passenger stuck in the traffic, pointed out that the congestion was compounded by both the traders and the impatience of some road users.
He highlighted the perennial traffic challenges faced on the expressway, particularly during rainy seasons and festive periods.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, condemned the traders’ actions as “greedy and selfish.” He assured the public that efforts were underway, in collaboration with other agencies, to address the traffic issues.
Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Ogun State sector commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps, confirmed that personnel had been deployed to manage the situation.
She emphasized the importance of traffic control measures, especially during festive periods, to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic.
