Motorists Spend Over Three Hours In Gridlock On Lagos-Benin Expressway
Motorists and commuters were stranded for more than three hours on Sunday following a heavy traffic gridlock along the Lagos-Benin Expressway, particularly between Ovia Bridge and Okada Junction in Edo State.
The congestion, which occurred in the early hours of the day, was reportedly worsened by vehicle breakdowns, an accident, damaged sections of the road and the failure of some motorists to comply with traffic regulations.
A visit to the affected stretch by PUNCH Metro showed that articulated vehicles accounted for a significant number of those trapped in the gridlock, with several drivers reportedly having departed Benin early to reach their destinations on schedule.
Some motorists attributed the prolonged traffic to the indiscriminate parking of vehicles along the roadside, noting that some truck drivers parked to sleep instead of continuing their journeys early enough.
A driver identified as Akanni criticised the practice, saying it contributed to the congestion and reflected a lack of compliance with professional driving regulations.
He said, “Imagine drivers parking by the roadside, sleeping and not waking up on time to continue their journey, thereby contributing to the gridlock.”
Another driver, Chukwu, said he had received information about traffic congestion around Ovia Bridge at approximately 2am on Sunday and decided to sleep at a bypass near Oluku.
According to him, he was surprised to encounter another gridlock after passing through the Ovia Bridge section without difficulty.
Chukwu blamed the recurring congestion on inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations by relevant government agencies, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps.
He also appealed to the Edo State Government to repair the deteriorated section of the road around Okada, especially near the Tipper Garage, to improve vehicular movement and pedestrian safety.
“Everything boils down to the government. Their agencies must enforce the law, while the repair of the bad portion of the road should also be done,” he said.
Further observations along the route indicated that impatience among motorists also contributed to the prolonged congestion, as some drivers resorted to driving against the flow of traffic, thereby obstructing other road users.
Reacting to the development, the Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Preye Bedford, said the corps regularly monitored the area to ensure smooth traffic flow and respond to incidents capable of causing congestion.
Bedford explained that although personnel were not permanently stationed at the affected location, officers were deployed periodically and remained on alert at nearby locations, including Ofosu, to respond to vehicle breakdowns and accidents.
He added that FRSC personnel were usually sent to the area whenever reports of accidents or mechanical faults were received, to help manage traffic and minimise disruptions.
The sector commander urged motorists to remain patient, exercise caution and obey traffic regulations to prevent avoidable congestion.
He reiterated that compliance with traffic rules was essential to maintaining smooth movement along the busy expressway, while calls for the repair of damaged road sections and improved enforcement continued.
