Gridlock Traps Motorists for 3 Hours on Benin-Lagos Expressway
Motorists and commuters were stranded for more than three hours on Sunday morning following a gridlock between Ovia Bridge and Okada Junction along the Benin-Lagos Expressway.
When Truthliner visited the stretch, articulated vehicles made up a significant portion of the traffic, with many drivers who had left or planned to leave Benin early hoping to reach their destinations on time.
The gridlock was worsened by a vehicle accident, breakdowns and impatient drivers who drove against traffic. Some drivers also blamed colleagues who parked along the roadside to sleep, obstructing the free flow of vehicles.
The Okada axis has become notorious for traffic congestion, particularly around a bad section of the road near the Tipper Garage.
A driver, who identified himself as Akanni, lamented the failure of some truck drivers to observe basic road safety rules.
“Imagine drivers parking on the roadside, sleeping and not waking up on time to continue their journey, thereby contributing to the gridlock,” he said.
Another driver, Chukwu, said he had learnt of a traffic jam around Ovia Bridge at about 2 a.m. and decided to sleep at a bypass near Oluku.
However, after navigating the initial congestion without difficulty, he was surprised to encounter another gridlock farther along the route.
Chukwu blamed the situation on poor enforcement of traffic regulations, calling on government agencies, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to ensure that motorists obey traffic rules.
He also urged the Edo State Government to repair the damaged section of the highway near Okada to improve vehicular movement and reduce congestion.
“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.
However, after spending about three hours navigating the congestion, it became evident that impatience and traffic violations had significantly worsened the situation, as some motorists drove against oncoming traffic, further obstructing movement.
