A total of one million, eight thousand, two hundred and seventy four (1, 008,274) vehicles plied he Lagos – Ibadan Expressway while a total of Eight million, seven hundred and twelve thousand, two hundred and six (8,712,216) passengers were transported through the same Expressway during the last yuletide travels, African Business Travel News (ABTN) has learnt.
The figures for vehicular and passenger movements on the expressway, according to Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), is the highest in recent years.
The period under review covered from December 1, 2018 to January 15, 2019 when the special patrol operations ended in Ogun State.
The surge in the figure of both vehicular and human movement on the expressway according to reliable sources was attributed to the rehabilitation works being executed on the West African busiest Expressway by President Buhari led administration.
Other factors attributed to the huge figures were, the removal of the diversions earlier placed across sections of the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, especially at Mowe/Ibafo and Ogunmakin/Ogere, respectively by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and Reynolds Construction Company , the two construction companies currently rehabilitating the Expressway.
This according to road transport analysts, no doubt encouraged some motorists that earlier expressed apprehension on easy passage during the Yuletide, considering the persistent gridlocks that preceded the weekend of December 18, 2018, when the diversions on the Expressway were removed and the entire stretch of the road was opened to traffic .
In addition the availability of petroleum products unlike scarcity experienced in previous years ,as well as relatively stable road transport fares encouraged large number of road passengers travels.
Also the massive public enlightenment campaigns of the FRSC alongside the Corps’ visibility along the highways were also noted as likely contributing factors.
It would be recalled that due to the strategic nature of the Expressway as the busiest in West Africa and aimed at forestalling challenges motorists could face in view of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Expressway, the Federal Road Safety Corps had though, organised a special patrol operations nationwide from December 19, 2018 to January 15, 2019, but the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi MFR mni NPoM had directed the operation should commence much earlier on the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.
On the analysis of type vehicles that plied the expressway during the period, it was noted that 726,018 commercial vehicles dominated, accounting for 72 per cent while a total of 281,612 private vehicles representing (27.9%) and only 644 government vehicles that plied the expressway during the period under review.
.Further investigations by ABTN revealed that the Special Patrol Operation tagged “Safe Driving,Safe Arrival”, however recorded sixty three (63) Road Traffic Crashes in Ogun State, in which thirty (30) people unfortunately died.
A total of three hundred and five (305) persons were rescued from road traffic crashes that occurred during the Yuletide (as detailed in the attached table)
While praying for repose of the souls of those that died during the period, Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Clement Oladele commended the motorists for their cooperation with the FRSC and other sister traffic/security and emergency agencies for a successful special patrol operations.
