THE regular occurrence of vehicle accidents, often fatal, on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway calls for urgent national concern, and the intervention of the authorities. Barely two weeks after a most horrendous accident occurred at the Berger section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which claimed about sixty lives with 23 vehicles burnt, there was a similar accident at Ibafo on the same expressway on Sunday, September 5, resulting in the death of six persons, including children, and the loss of 13 vehicles to an inferno, while scores of people sustained injuries.

This particular accident was again caused by obstructions on the expressway, particularly the indiscriminate parking of trailers by the roadside at Ibafo, Ogun State. The accident occurred when a tanker loaded with petrol apparently lost control and rammed into parked trailers on the roadside. Another account indicated that a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) collided with another car. And, as ?efforts were being made to rescue the trapped victims in the car, a petrol tanker that was on high speed came from behind and hit one of the vehicles before crashing into three other parked tankers. The impact ignited an inferno that engulfed other vehicles trapped in the traffic hold up, including some trailers by the roadside. There are usually more than one account of such incidents. And there have been other reported accidents on this same expressway since then. It is sad and depressing.?

But always, accidents on this expressway always point to the failure of the affected authorities to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Unfortunately, these accidents happen again and again without any lessons being learnt. The dangers inherent in having[b] trailers parked right by the expressway at Ibafo have been well expressed in the past[/b]. There have been several attempts by the Ogun State Government to relocate the trailers to an appropriate park, but not even the provision of a trailer park at Ogere has helped. The only way out might be a strict enforcement of the highway code; otherwise, the avoidable accidents could continue to occur.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is also not doing enough to get the trailers off the highway. Over the period, an illegal outlet for the sale of petroleum products to black market operators has developed at Ibafo. Some Government officials allegedly collect illegal fees to allow the trucks park, thereby encouraging the neglect of the trailer park built by the State Government at Ogere. This should be investigated. Bi-Courtney, the construction company to which the expressway has been concessioned has reportedly provided another park which the trailer drivers also deliberately ignore. Why are there no sanctions? Why are the authorities not enforcing basic rules and guidelines? Such enforcement would be much cheaper than the regular carnage on that road. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) should also call its members to order. The trailers should be told to move to the designated parks to prevent accidents.?

The highway should be left open for free and unimpeded movement of vehicles. Any obstruction, either in form of police roadblocks or prolonged vehicular breakdown, often leads to fatal accidents as has been witnessed. All said, it is lamentable that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which was built over 30 years ago, has been left in a most deplorable condition without maintenance. Because the road is not maintained, trailer drivers have the effrontery to abuse it with impunity.

Since the Federal Government has concessioned the expressway to Bi-Courtney, everything should be done to ensure that necessary rehabilitation work begins without any further delay. In the same vein, the recent directive by the Minister of State for Works, Engineer Chris Ogienwonyi that RCC, the contractor handling a section of the dilapidated Ondo/Ofosu axis of the Lagos-Benin Expressway should get to work immediately is in order. The Federal Government should ensure that progress is made towards the rehabilitation of this problematic expressway without further delay, failing which the existing contracts should be terminated and re-awarded without prejudice.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24645:-accidents-on-the-lagos-ibadan-expressway&catid=37:editorial&Itemid=612

Which aspect of the Nigerian life is not neglected?

This road should easily be a three or four lane road on either side. It's probably the road with the highest vehicular traffic in Nigeria. What exactly is the reason why this road is not being rehabilitated? Only God knows how many people have lost their life's on this road due just to the poor condition of the road. How can the people in power justify this wanton and preventable lost of life? Is it that the black man has no concern for anyone or anything apart from himself? This 50 year anniversary should really be a time for sober reflection.

they are seeing it as a trap to destroy my igbo brother
cos that's the only road that leads to east
thats why they are not concerned about it

denony:

they are seeing it as a trap to destroy my igbo brother
cos that's the only road that leads to east
thats why they are not concerned about it

.

No sir, i beg to totally disagree

eliminating igbos MEANS talking out of sense is dat road igbo/ore road?

Tasma:

This road should easily be a three or four lane road on either side. It's probably the road with the highest vehicular traffic in Nigeria. What exactly is the reason why this road is not being rehabilitated? Only God knows how many people have lost their life's on this road due just to the poor condition of the road. How can the people in power justify this wanton and preventable lost of life? Is it that the black man has no concern for anyone or anything apart from himself? This 50 year anniversary should really be a time for sober reflection.

And in addition to that, they should consider installing a light rail system in the middle as well as street lamps that work. Nigerians should live like human beings. why can't there be standard, world class express ways from Lagos to Ilorin, Lagos to Abuja, Lagos to Calabar through PH?

May their soles rest in Peace.

i think the government have to do something urgently

na wah for nigeria;a nation where human lives are lost on a daily basis due to local,state n federal govenment negligence.when shall accidents such as these become a thing of the past?only God knows

vocalist:

i think the government have to do something urgently

which government?na today!do they care if human lives are wasted on a daily basis due to their negligence.all they are after is their pocket.may God have mercy.

Our country need special prayer,because from mfm to ibadan,dat road is good,and dat road is d federal road,but our government is not ready do dat road @ all,dat is why accident always happen in dat express,father god is only person we can called and prayed to and save entire nigeria

We have been praying for 50yrs, so prayers don't work.

denony:

[b]they are seeing it as a trap to destroy my igbo brother[/b]cos that's the only road that leads to east
thats why they are not concerned about it

do you think with you *sshole?

eros:

I travel this road frequently and it beats me the number of accidents that are caused mostly by the trucks. What solution can one proffer to this problem and who will implement it 


Nigeria is a sorry state where nobody cares and those that supposedly care don't back their words with action.

No day passes without trucks having accidents on that road.  And this is without any exaggeration.    Trucks roll over on their sides and hapless citizens get crushed and maimed on a daily basis.

The road has expired!

well. may God help us in yhis part of the word. how can we have government and all these are happening, too bad my brother.

Truck drivers that ply that road do so with reckless abandon! They drive on the left lane in utter disregard of the basic traffic rule that says they should always be on the right lane except when overtaking. So many trucks do not have indicators lights and do not show adequate warning for breakdowns to alert other road users.  Those that carry cargoes do not safely latch their burden and they sway dangerously.

The most annoying   part is that trucks have taken over Ibafo and Ogere ends of the expressway leaving only a narrow lane for other vehicles to pass. A combination of these trucks drivers, artisans (like vulcanisers, mechanics, vehicle washers, etc), hawkers of different items, beggars of various shapes and sizes, pedestrians, wheel barrow pushers, 'okada' riders who drive against traffic and face oncoming motorists all succeed to make life difficult for drivers!

And in all of these, the enforcement agencies like the Nigeria Police, FRSC and Ogun State government are incompetently watching!!!  There are even Customs Officers who, though supposed to be at the borders, choose to constitute additional nuisance and headache to travellers!

The Oyo state part of the road is not better as it is riddled with potholes and deep craters that daily cause accidents and deaths .

Nigeria is like the state of nature where life is short, nasty, and brutish.

I travel on that road often but each time, I always pray to God for divine protection but sincerely speaking that road has become a nightmare to most people. Sometimes back Bi-courtney signed for the rehabilitation of the road but all one sees today are the billboards of the company at various locations without anything to show for it.In some hours time, we will all roll out the drums to celebrate Nigeria at 50, yet many that were wishing to see October 1 2010 when Nigeria would be 50 are dead now, no thanks to that road, it's really sad. Nigeria really needs prayers.Well for those of us that ply that road often and are still alive, may God continue to protect us. Happy Independence Nigeria.

denony:

they are seeing it as a trap to destroy my igbo brother
cos that's the only road that leads to east
thats why they are not concerned about it

obviously its either you are ignorant of the topology/map of Nigeria or you plain dum.b
they call a road Lagos - Ibadan road and you are there in S.A talking of ibo access road. Ode.

Guys It will take the death of all the Politicians and thier families in ABJ on that road for it to be rectified,its a very small problem to address but yet such a big problem to activate,every time I pas fru that road, i get ill when I get home.if you happen to be from Delta state you would breathe a sigh of relief once you get to the benin by-pass.

mama-gee:

As if the problems in Nigeria isn't enough. . .

Another problem just arose from nowhere.

Although it's exasperating hearing some of these issues but this problem has been part of the bigger Nigeria's problems. However, the approach here is that the omnibus 'bad roads problem' has been made more specific by mentioning the road and calling attention to the ongoing carnage there.

That road is hell on earth.

Osama10:

That road is hell on earth.

It's a pity that such an important road has been abandoned for decades.