Potholes: Motorists task FG on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Date: 28-03-2011 10:13 am (13 years ago) | Author: Aliuniyi lawal
- at 28-03-2011 10:13 AM (13 years ago)
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Road users in Lagos and Ogun States have called on the Federal Government to urgently fix potholes that are fast becoming regular fixture on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.


They decried the dangers that the potholes constitute adding that there had been instances where vehicles somersaulted while passengers and other road users seriously sustained injuries and goods also perished as a result of accident traceable to the potholes.


Others said that they were exposed to attacks from suspected robbers and hoodlums as vehicles, which were more careful, slowed down to negotiate the potholes.


PUNCH METRO investigation revealed that there are at least three major potholes between Fatgbems Petrol Station and Arepo junction end of the road.


A commercial driver at the Ketu bus-stop, Mr. Christian Chukwu said vehicles break down at the spot on regular basis after entering the potholes with full speed. He added that robbers have made the spot a haven.


“One day I was on the road around 10 pm, with one passenger when my tyre suddenly burst. Three men emerged and robbed me of my phone and some money and also robbed the woman of N150, 000 and injured her with a cutlass. She escaped being raped as members of a socio-cultural group, the Odua People’s Congress, rescued us that night.


PUNCH METRO also discovered that motorists are forced to slow down at the end of the bridge near Amel Schools Ojodu, as a result of a metal that obstruct the right side of the road.


Mr. Segun Rotimi, a resident and a driver said, “This metal should be placed well. We have observed that the iron placed here has been causing gridlock. It should be placed well so that it will not disturb motorists and other road users. It has been causing accidents. Some drivers, especially at night, fail to remember that the place is not smooth, but by the time they remember and apply the break, other vehicles coming from behind sometimes hit them. We call on the government to fix the road.”


Another driver, Bamidele Lawrence, also at the Ketu bus-stop, appealed to government to urgently repair the roads.


“The government should repair the road and provide street lights. The place is very dark and it gives armed robbers the opportunity to rob,” Lawrence said.


Another driver, Mr. Olorunfemi Sola told PUNCH Metro that because drivers are always on top speed, it is not easy for them to control their vehicle when they approach the bad spots.


“What is responsible for most of the accident on that part of the road is the recklessness of drivers, especially tanker drivers. When they get to that bad spot where there are potholes, they become a danger to every vehicle around them,” he said.


Another road user, Mr. Taiwo Odunlami said, “We need streetlights on that bridge. That place is too dark at night and considering the fact that it is a long bridge. It is a danger zone in the night. Government should make sure that the police patrol that area at night.”

Posted: at 28-03-2011 10:13 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac