Four months after the Federal Government flagged off the long-awaited reconstruction of the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Expressway, motorists and pedestrians are groaning under severe gridlock, blaming the hardship on the painfully slow pace of work.
In February, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, launched the reconstruction of the 60-kilometre stretch from the Sagamu Interchange to Itele on the outskirts of Ijebu Ode, describing it as a major step in addressing years of public complaints about the highway’s poor state. Contractors reportedly mobilised to site in April, beginning at the Sagamu Express Junction.
But for road users, the excitement has given way to frustration. Long hours in traffic, frequent accidents, vehicle breakdowns, and even reckless wrong-way driving have become daily realities as only one lane of the dual carriageway has been partially paved.
A number of road users have expressed mixed feelings, welcoming the intervention but questioning the pace. “We are happy President Bola Tinubu listened and ordered the reconstruction, but since April or May, the kilometres covered are not encouraging. The road is terrible, and that has led to accidents and vehicle damage,” some said.
Also, drivers plying the Lagos–Ore route say they are bearing the brunt of the delays. One of them, Olayinka Israel, acknowledged the technical demands of concrete casting and reinforcement but insisted the government must speed things up. “Yes, it is concrete work, but the process should not punish us. We are suffering here,” he said.
For Adedayo Adewale, a university worker along the corridor, the expectations of smooth travel have been dashed. “Four months after, the progress has been too slow,” he lamented.
Transport unions share similar concerns. Segun Stainless, Treasurer of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Sagamu, said the delays have compounded gridlock to unbearable levels. “Once it’s Monday evening, it can take three hours from Sagamu to the Interchange. The work is okay, but it’s slow,” he complained.
