Governors Ibikunle Amosun, Chibuike Amaechi of Ogun and Rivers, as well as Prof. Wole Soyinka were among those trapped in a traffic gridlock for more than five hours on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Saturday.
A NAN correspondent, who monitored the situation, reports that the traffic build-up started at the Sagamu intersection, compounded by numerous potholes which had caused the breakdown of many vehicles. Most of the commuters experienced a terrible day.
Amsoun, who spoke with NAN, described the situation as “worrisome and terrible“.
“Gov Rotimi Amaechi and Prof Soyinka called to inform me of their ordeal, but unknown to them, I was also in the same traffic with them, and I have spent close to five hours just like everybody; and it is just terrible.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently effect rehabilitation of the road to reduce the plight of commuters, saying that “traffic situation here is uncalled for and absolutely avoidable if well managed“.
“We have been witnessing this menace for ages and it seems there is no hope in sight for all of us.
“`The final solution will be to give the road to those who have the capacity to manage it effectively.
“If they will allow us to do it, we will fix it very soon in partnership with the private sector and our people will be relieved.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government to let people who have the capacity to handle this road do it in the interest of the people suffering daily on this road.
“They promised that the road would be fixed before Christmas and up till now no hope, you can see what we are all facing on this road''.
He also advised road users to drive carefully and to also obey traffic rules and regulations.
A 76-old farmer, Mr Kasimawo Olaitan, who was ensnared in the traffic, said that he had been on the road since 5 am but had not been able to travel up to 20 km.
“I have spent six hours on this road, and it does not seem that I will leave here today just because someone somewhere is not doing his job, he said.
For Mrs, Chuzoba Okafor, her hope of meeting up with her sister’s traditional marriage in the eastern part of the country was fading, as she claimed to have spent seven hours since leaving Lagos.
“I had hope to be close to Anambra by now, but here I am wining and dining with dust and sweat, instead of being with my family for the memorable occasion,'' she told NAN.?