By Omosola Olumide Johnson
OTA, OGUN STATE – Thousands of commuters, motorists and businesses affected by the prolonged traffic congestion along the Ota-Idiroko Road may soon experience relief as the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Hon. Lawal Adewale Wasiu, FCA, has directed the contractor handling the road reconstruction to accelerate work and immediately strengthen traffic management measures to reduce the daily hardship experienced by road users.
The directive followed an inspection tour of the project by the council chairman, who, alongside journalists, assessed the pace of construction and held discussions with officials of the contracting firm on practical solutions to the persistent gridlock around the Oju-Oore corridor.
Addressing journalists after the inspection, Lawal acknowledged the frustration of residents, motorists and business owners, describing the situation as unacceptable and assuring the public that every effort was being made to fast-track the project without compromising construction standards.
"Our people are going through a lot of hardship on this road every day, and I am not comfortable with the situation," he said. "I have instructed the contractor to intensify work and immediately improve palliative measures to make movement easier while construction continues."
One of the immediate outcomes of the meeting was the introduction of a revised traffic management plan for the Oju-Oore axis. Under the arrangement, motorists travelling from the Sango-Ota axis are to use the overhead bridge, while those heading towards Toll Gate, the Local Government Secretariat and adjoining communities will use the lower carriageway.
According to the chairman, the new traffic pattern is designed to eliminate wrong-way driving, improve traffic discipline and significantly reduce the gridlock that has become a daily burden for commuters.
Lawal also directed the contractor, LARALEK Ultimate Limited, to deepen collaboration with security agencies and traffic management officials to ensure effective traffic control throughout the construction period.
Responding during the inspection, the company's General Manager, Engr. Luka Marandola, explained that although palliative repairs had been carried out repeatedly, heavy rainfall had consistently washed away the interventions. He, however, assured the chairman that additional remedial measures would be introduced to improve vehicular movement while reconstruction work progresses.
Also speaking, the project's Earthworks Engineer, Engr. Samuel Blankson, attributed part of the congestion to traffic violations by some commercial bus drivers, tricycle operators and other motorists whose disregard for traffic regulations continues to disrupt both construction activities and traffic management efforts.
The chairman appealed to commercial bus, tricycle and motorcycle operators to cooperate with traffic officials, avoid indiscriminate parking and comply with traffic regulations in order to ensure smoother vehicular movement and safer roads for all users.
Beyond the ongoing road reconstruction, Lawal announced that the local government would soon inaugurate an environmental task force to enforce sanitation regulations across the council area. He condemned the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels, road medians and other unauthorized locations, warning that such practices contribute to flooding, environmental degradation and public health risks.
He urged residents to support the administration's environmental agenda by maintaining clean surroundings and patronising only approved waste collection operators.
The chairman also announced plans to provide immediate relief for residents of Ijagba, Dada Atala, Onigbin, Elejigbo and neighbouring communities through palliative repairs on the access road beside Obasanjo Farm. He disclosed that council engineers had completed an assessment of the road and recommended urgent intervention, with repair works expected to commence in the coming days.
Reaffirming his administration's commitment to infrastructure development and improved public service delivery, Lawal assured residents that the council would continue to closely monitor the Ota-Idiroko Road reconstruction project and maintain regular engagement with the contractor to ensure the project is completed within the expected timeframe.
He stressed that while the reconstruction may continue to pose temporary inconveniences, the local government would continue to implement practical measures to ease the burden on residents, businesses and the thousands of commuters who rely on the strategic road every day.
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