Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Saturday advised motorists plying Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to exercise patience to avoid compounding the traffic challenge on the road.

Ogun Sector Commander of FRSC, Clement Oladele, said the advice became necessary to reduce the pains inflicted on motorists by the gridlock.

The sector commander attributed the cause of the gridlock to the ongoing rehabilitation work on the road, which necessitated the construction Company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, to erect barriers around Magboro area of the corridor.

“This step is to enable the construction company to lay asphalt on that stretch of the road,” he said.

Oladele explained that this has further narrowed the lanes and diversions available to traffic.

He said the action of Julius Berger is in the interest of the motorists.

He expressed optimism that some of the barriers would be removed on May 12, noting that this particular action was responsible for traffic build up on both sections of the expressway around Ibafo/Magboro to the Long Bridge.

“To this end, the FRSC in Ogun, wishes to advise motorists to exercise patience while on the corridor during this period.

“We also want to warn them to desist from driving against traffic. They should also use the recommended alternative routes.

”However, anyone apprehended would be booked for dangerous driving, which attracts N50,000 fine,” he said.

He listed the alternative routes that could be used as Lagos-Sango-Ota- Abeokuta, Epe-Ajah-Lekki and Ikorodu-Sagamu roads.

He said that the FRSC personnel were being complemented by sister traffic agencies and military personnel to manage the traffic situation.

Oladele further advised motorists to call FRSC toll free number 122 to report traffic emergencies.

Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara Command, Uchechukwu Wihioka, has called for the implementation of good legislation that will support road safety activities

Wihioka made the call in Ilorin on Saturday while speaking with journalists in commemoration of the 5th United Nation Global Road Safety Week with the theme: “Leadership for Road Safety”.

He also urged leaders in the country to speak up for safety of the public, to help reduce high rate of road crashes.

The commander said everybody was a leader in his own calling and must join the commission in its campaign for safety to reduce high rate of road crashes.

” Safety is paramount in everything and everybody must speak up. Leaders must enact special laws to prevent consistent road crashes.

” Young and innocent Nigerians are dying everyday on the roads, it is time for our leaders to be like you, Journalists, Teachers, Religious leaders, Lawyers, Drivers and Artisans to speak out in one voice to protect souls.

” An occupant of a vehicle has a right to caution drivers while driving wrecklessly. Don’t keep mute when someone endangers your life,” he said.

According to him, over 1.35million souls are lost on road crashes every year all over the world, which deserve special attention.

The commander also said the United Nations week was aimed at maintaining safer roads, safer vehicles and safer road users for safety purposes.

Wihioka, however, urged road users to respect traffic rules and regulations and be ambassadors of road safety in the country.

“Safety is everybody’s responsibility and not government’s alone. Let’s join hands and be a road safety campaigner,” he said.