EDO, Nigeria — Hundreds of motorists and commuters were stranded for more than three hours on Sunday as a severe traffic gridlock paralysed movement between Ovia Bridge and Okada Junction along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Edo State.
The congestion, which disrupted journeys along the busy highway, was blamed on damaged sections of the road, vehicle breakdowns, an accident, indiscriminate roadside parking and impatient driving, reports The Guardian.
Many of those trapped in the gridlock were drivers of articulated trucks who had left Benin early in the morning in the hope of reaching their destinations on schedule.
However, the situation deteriorated as some vehicles developed mechanical faults, while an accident further compounded the congestion.
Some motorists also blamed their colleagues who parked along the roadside and continued sleeping into the early hours of the morning, thereby obstructing other road users.
The Okada axis of the expressway was identified as a recurring traffic bottleneck, particularly around a damaged section of the road near the Tipper Garage.
A truck driver, who identified himself as Akanni, criticised some of his colleagues for failing to observe basic road safety rules.
“Imagine drivers parking by the roadside, sleeping and failing to wake up on time to continue their journeys, thereby contributing to the gridlock,” he said.
Another driver, Chukwu, said he learnt of the traffic congestion around Ovia Bridge at about 2am on Sunday and decided to rest at a bypass near Oluku.
He said he was surprised to encounter another gridlock after passing through the Ovia Bridge section without difficulty.
Chukwu blamed inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations for the recurring congestion, urging government agencies, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to ensure that motorists comply with road safety rules.
He also called on the Edo State Government to repair the damaged section near Okada Junction to improve the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
“Everything boils down to the government. Its agencies must enforce the law, while the damaged portion of the road should also be repaired,” he said.
Meanwhile, impatient motorists worsened the situation as some drivers reportedly drove against the flow of traffic in attempts to bypass the congestion, further obstructing movement along the highway.
The Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Preye Bedford, said the corps monitored the affected corridor and deployed personnel when accidents or vehicle breakdowns were reported.
Bedford explained that officers were not permanently stationed at the affected location but were periodically deployed to manage traffic disruptions.
He said personnel stationed around Ofosu and other nearby locations remained alert to incidents that could obstruct traffic, adding that officers were dispatched to affected areas when reports of accidents or vehicle breakdowns were received.
The FRSC commander urged motorists to exercise patience and obey traffic regulations to prevent avoidable congestion and ensure safer movement along the expressway.
The latest incident has renewed calls for urgent repairs to damaged sections of the Benin-Lagos Expressway and stronger enforcement of traffic regulations to address recurring gridlock along the busy route.
