Federal Road Safety Corps has issued a stern warning to motorists, including drivers of security and government vehicles, against driving against traffic on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway following the commencement of repair works on the Kara Bridge section on Monday.
The Federal Ministry of Works had last week announced a six-week partial closure of the expressway to facilitate repairs on expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge, and Arepo–Punch Bridge.
The ministry explained that the closure was necessary to resume critical rehabilitation works on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge, which had previously been suspended due to public complaints over prolonged traffic congestion.
The FRSC stated that repair works along the expressway are expected to last at least two months.
The ongoing repairs at Kara Bridge have already caused traffic build-up, as two expansion joints are being fixed simultaneously with faster-curing materials to accelerate the process. Work is currently taking place on both sides of the bridge.
FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, Kehinde Hamzat, warned that anyone violating traffic regulations would face penalties, emphasizing that reports of some security and government vehicles driving against traffic despite restrictions were unacceptable.
“The kind of penalty given by their management is much more than the one we would think we want to give, because it’s a stain on the agency and a stain on the person in question. It’s an abuse of office, which is not supposed to be,” he said.
Hamzat further highlighted that the damaged sections of the road had been the cause of several crashes, especially as motorists tried to avoid oncoming vehicles.
He also pointed to overloading as a significant contributor to road deterioration, noting that weighbridges would be deployed to address the issue. Motorists were urged to remain patient during the temporary disruption for their own safety.
According to him, strategic deployments of FRSC personnel, alongside officers from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, had been made along the corridor to prevent contraventions.
Several motorists who attempted to flout traffic rules have already been arrested, and FRSC personnel will continue to remain on duty throughout the repair period.
Earlier, Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologized for the inconvenience to motorists and assured that enhanced traffic management measures would be implemented to ensure swift and lasting repairs.
He noted that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated considerably, posing safety risks and contributing to accidents, and added that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had directed that urgent repairs be carried out.
