Motorists Spend Over Three Hours in Gridlock on Benin-Lagos Expressway

Motorists and commuters spent more than three hours trapped in a traffic gridlock along the Benin-Lagos Expressway on Sunday, with congestion stretching between Ovia Bridge and Okada Junction in Edo State.

Many of the stranded vehicles were articulated trucks whose drivers had left Benin early in the morning in an attempt to reach their destinations on time.

The situation was compounded by vehicle breakdowns and an accident along the route. Some drivers also blamed the congestion on colleagues who parked by the roadside to sleep, delaying their departure and obstructing other road users.

The Okada axis, particularly a damaged section near Tipper Garage, was identified as a recurring traffic bottleneck.

A driver identified as Akanni criticised some truck drivers for failing to comply with professional road safety rules, saying roadside parking and delayed resumption of journeys contributed to the congestion.

Another driver, Chukwu, said he had learnt of a traffic jam around Ovia Bridge at about 2 a.m. on Sunday and decided to rest at a bypass near Oluku. 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 situation and called on government agencies, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to ensure motorists obey traffic rules.

He also urged the Edo State Government to repair the damaged section near Okada to improve the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Impatience among motorists further worsened the situation, as some drivers attempted to drive against the flow of traffic, obstructing other vehicles and prolonging the gridlock.

The Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Preye Bedford, said his personnel monitored the axis periodically and were deployed when accidents or vehicle breakdowns were reported.

Bedford explained that officers were not permanently stationed at the location, although personnel near Ofosu and other points remained alert to incidents that could disrupt traffic.

He said the corps deployed officers to manage congestion when notified of an accident or vehicle breakdown, adding that motorists needed to exercise patience and comply with traffic regulations.

The incident has renewed calls for repairs to damaged sections of the expressway and stronger enforcement of road safety rules to prevent recurring congestion along the busy transport corridor.