Motorists and commuters on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are facing gruelling hours in traffic, as the Federal Ministry of Works narrows Kara bridge for expansion joint repairs, leaving motorists trapped with little sign of progress.
For over nine days, the bridge has been constricted at two sections without visible construction activity, sparking outrage among people who rely on the vital corridor daily.
With no alternative routes available, drivers have resorted to leaving home in the early hours of the day. Commuters board taxis, opt for motorcycles or endure skyrocketing fares.
The frustration peaked when The Nation contacted Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Layi Komolafe, an engineer, who said repairs began late last year, but was stopped during the festive season due to heavy holiday traffic into Lagos.
“The bad expansion joints were causing accidents, so we have to resume urgently. The first two bridges inbound Lagos—Magboro Channel 14 and Punch Channel 13—have been completed. We’re now on Kara Channel 5, with two expansion joints per bridge,” he said.
Komolafe noted night work attempts failed after truck drivers nearly caused two workers’ fatalities.
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He said a stakeholders’ meeting involving Works commissioners from Lagos and Ogun states, police commissioners, FRSC sector commanders, LASTMA and Federal Controllers devised strategies to manage traffic, adding that they agreed that narrowing the road remained the only viable option, as full diversion would worsen gridlock.
Motorists are angry over the situation. Samuel Akindele, who lives in Magboro and works in Apapa, described the situation as “uncaring”, warning of a return to past nightmares of overnight bridge traffic jam, bike accidents and deaths.
“How can the government shut the place down for 10 days with no work?” he asked.
Bukola Kupoloyi from Mowe, now waking up at 4am to beat the traffic jam, accused the contractor, Julius Berger, of treating commuters “like animals.” “It’s unfair—people coming to Lagos for business shouldn’t be punished daily,” she said.
Uchechi Oluchi of Arepo, commuting to Lagos Island, slammed the firm as “incompetent and wicked”, questioning repeated joint fixes and the decision to narrow the bridge prematurely.
Alfa Oyetunde from Lotto, whose daily trips to Adeniji Adele Market on Lagos Island increased his blood pressure, decried fare hikes. “We’re sentenced to hardship just to feed our families,” he lamented, urging the Federal Government to intervene.
Komolafe appealed for patience as repairs continue, but commuters demand swift action to end the hardship.
