Traffic authority in Ogun State has taken the initiative to clear the Lagos-Ibadan express way corridor, especially at Ogere axis of the state, an initiative seen by many as an aftermath of the recent motor accident that occurred in this area involving the two time heavy weight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua.
Though, the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway is proned to incessant motor accidents but that which involved the pugilist, when the Lexus SUV conveying him and members of his team rammed into a stationary truck along the expressway was one too many.
In the accident, Joshua’s close associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele, his personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, lost their lives.
The incident which drew attention to the issue of safety on this corridor may now be the reason behind the move by the body responsible for traffic control on roads that crisscross Ogun State, the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) to commence operations to reduce traffic blockage along the Lagos-Ibadan express way at Ogere axis of the state.
TRACE has come out to warn articulated vehicle drivers on this corridor to desist from packing their vehicles by the roadsides and blocking the highways, particularly at Ogere axis.
Commander Elias Omonayajo, the boss of the agency gave the warning at an interactive session with stakeholders at Ogere TRACE Divisional Command, to address the ugly trend of indiscriminate parking by the roadside.
He described such act as barbaric, greedy and an obstruction to free flow of traffic.
Commander Omonayajo, said unlawful parking by the roadside pose serious risk and danger to other road users, as well as obstructing free flow of traffic.
He therefore enjoined articulated vehicle owners to warn their members and drivers against such acts, as safety of lives and property is a collective responsibility.
In their speeches at the gathering, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters, AIG Shola Subair, (Rtd) and the Consultant to the Governor on Security, CP Edward Ajogun (Rtd), expressed Government’s displeasure over indiscriminate parking and blockage of the highway.
They noted that it is against established traffic rules and orderliness on the road and urged them to support TRACE in its efforts to maintain seamless traffic flow, devoid of crashes and disorderliness.
He stated that the interactive session was to provide lasting solution to the menace, noting that a taskforce would be constituted to start enforcement and apprehension of recalcitrant offenders.
Responding, Seriki Awusawa of Ogere, Alhaji Abudullahi Abubakar, appreciated the government for availing them the opportunity to hear their concerns, promising to continually educate the drivers to abide by the law and make use of designated areas provided by the Government.
He thereafter appealed to the State Government to help them commence palliative work inside the garages, which needed attention.
In their separate submissions, Oba Babatunde Onimeji, Imeji kingdom represented by Iyaloja, Tiwa New Town, Ogere, Chief Bunkuola Sonubi and Adenuga Ridwan, representing Dangote Sugar, remarked that the challenge of illegal parking and blockage of highways happened to be a collective responsibility that demanded sensitisation, advocacy and enforcement.
The meeting had in attendance, stakeholders which cut across TRACE, FRSC, NSCDC, AMOTEKUN, the POLICE, Road Union leaders from NUPENG (PTD), NURTW, RTEAN, NARTO, MAN members from DANGOTE, NESTLE, APPLE as well as PEARS and community leaders.
