Motorists Frustrated as Ogun Ram Market Causes Traffic Chaos on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
By Uthman Salami and Moyinoluwa Olajide
On Wednesday, motorists faced severe traffic jams on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway due to the bustling Kara Market, where livestock trading activities blocked sections of the road.
Our reporters observed that large trucks transporting livestock, parked along the highway for unloading, exacerbated the gridlock. As animals were unloaded, traders displayed them on the road, further obstructing traffic.
The traffic congestion extended from OPIC to Arepo, with delays heading out of Lagos ending at OPIC and those heading into Lagos starting at Arepo, as of the time this report was filed.
The congestion was worsened by buyers parking their vehicles along the roadside to purchase rams, causing significant delays. The increase in trading activity is linked to the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival, which involves the slaughter of livestock.
Frustrated motorists criticized the government for allowing traders to disrupt traffic, especially during a period when the expressway is typically congested.
“How can the government allow these people to use their businesses to affect others? This is not fair to the users of this road. This gridlock started since morning, and it is already getting worse,” said a motor boy identified as Kazeem.
Passenger Moses Uche attributed the congestion to both the traders and the impatience of some motorists who ignored traffic laws. “It is not only caused by the ram sellers. This place has always been known for traffic, especially during the rainy season,” he noted.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, described the traders’ actions as “greedy and selfish.” He noted that the agency, along with the police and other traffic control bodies, was working to resolve the issue.
“Because of the heavy flow of traffic, human and vehicular movement, that’s why you have hitches around those areas. The Otedola Bridge area is also contributing to the gridlock. And you know any time it rains around those areas, it is always waterlogged. This also slows down vehicular movement,” Akinbiyi explained.
Regarding the ram sellers, Akinbiyi stated, “How can they be selling rams on the road? I’ve spoken with our operatives who are currently controlling traffic in the area; they are already working with the police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and others to manage the traders’ activities. We are working on a solution to improve traffic during these festive periods.”
Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Ogun State sector command of the FRSC, confirmed that officials had been dispatched to manage the traffic situation. “This is because of the turning at Kara and those people who are buying rams for the Sallah preparation. We are doing our job at the FRSC. The operational orders for the Sallah preparation are out now, and even my sector commandant will hold a press conference tomorrow (today) or Friday to address the motoring public on Sallah Day. We have an outpost at Ibafo, and our men have been deployed already to control the traffic in that area,” she stated.
