Ogun State sets to end gridlock on Mowe axis of Lagos Ibadan expressway
By Olusola Ilori
The Honorable Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan has assured the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC and the Police command of the readiness of Ogun state government to end the incessant gridlock at the Mowe axis of Lagos – Ibadan expressway as a matter of urgency.
The Commissioner made the assurance at a town hall forum meeting held with the sector commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Commander Umar Ahmed, Representative of the state Police command and other stake holders Tuesday, 4th October, 2022
The commissioner while speaking, appreciated the efforts of the officials of the FRSC for organizing the town hall meeting at the FRSC office, Mowe in Ogun state
Hon. Ilori- Oduntan stressed that efforts are in top gear by the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, to find a lasting solution to the age long heavy traffic and gridlock being experienced by road users during road construction at Mowe axis through Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
She maintained that Ogun State shared boundary with other States which makes it a peculiar one.
She however, charged the road construction company (Julius Berger) to always liaise with the State Government to provide an alternative road to avert heavy traffic on the main road during construction.
The Commissioner also a advised the road users to always abide by the rules guiding the traffic as the State Government will not tolerate indiscipline or people violating the rules.
She also encouraged officials of the FRSC to continue to enlightening and sensitizing the masses on advantages and disadvantages of not abiding by the traffic rules and regulations.
Welcoming the State delegation earlier to the forum meeting, the FRSC Sector Commander, Umar Ahmed commended efforts of the Divisional Police officer in charge of Warewa, CSP Ogunsoye for creating an enabling environment in controlling and ensuring free flow of traffic in the axis, he said, other officers should emulate him.
Umar also analysed the incessant and wreck less driving by the road users and appealed to the State Government to have a formidable task force and enacted more laws on traffic violation, route demarcation, marketing and hawking, illegal bus-stops, road obstruction, pedestrian crossing amongst others.
The commander advised travellers to always use an alternative road whenever there is a construction, not minding, whether the alternate road is in deplorable condition.
The commander expressed appreciation to the Okada and Tricycle riders in the axis for maintaining peace and order and for embracing peace with the FRSC Officers.
He emphasised that it is imperative for the construction company to erect a feasible warning signs for the road users.
The Stakeholders at the forum meeting made a recommendation as follows: That officials of FRSC and Police should deploy more personnel at the critical points of the road to checkmate wreck less driving;
Encouraged people to make use of pedestrian bridge to avoid being knocked down on expressway;
They also made a clarion call to the state Task force to work as a team to achieve a common goal for free flow of traffic and also frowned at the construction company for not removing the barriers which is constituting a great havoc for the people plying the route.
In his swift reaction, the project manager, Engr. Adebote assured the forum of the completion and handing over of the road before the end of year 2022.
Also in attendance at the forum meeting are: Special Adviser on Security to the Governor; Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Aka Nurudeen Adewale; Representative of Commissioner of Police; the Director, State conditional cash transfer unit, Mrs Soyoye-Baker Funmi; the Director, New Project implementation, Engr. Olaniran Rauf Olalekan; Royal fathers, Community Development Association, representative of Parks management, Okada and Tricycle riders amongst others.