By Esther Onyegbula

Road users and traders along the Sango Motor Park axis of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway have raised concerns over the pace of ongoing rehabilitation works, warning that prolonged delays are worsening traffic congestion and disrupting commercial activities in the area.

The stakeholders, while acknowledging the importance of the reconstruction, urged relevant authorities and contractors to accelerate the process to restore normal movement along the ever-busy corridor, which serves as a critical link between Lagos and Ogun State.

Many commuters who spoke to Vanguard lamented that the slow pace of work has compounded traffic gridlock, forcing motorists to spend longer hours on the road and, in some cases, avoid the route entirely.
A transport union member at Sango Motor Park, Rahmon, said the development has significantly reduced patronage for drivers operating in the area.

“Traffic here has affected our business seriously. Some drivers don’t even want to come this side again because of the congestion. But we must also commend the security personnel; they have been trying their best to control the situation and prevent total chaos,” he said.

Traders operating along the axis also expressed worries over declining sales, attributing it to restricted access caused by partial road closures and difficult terrain, particularly during rainfall.

One of the traders noted that, “Customers find it hard to reach us, especially when it rains and the roads become muddy. Business has not been the same since the work started, but we are hopeful things will improve soon.”

While some residents pointed out that construction activities appear inconsistent at intervals, they, however, acknowledged the complexities involved in executing large-scale infrastructure projects.
A resident, Joshua Apoga, stressed the need for improved coordination, particularly in traffic management during construction.

“This road is very important to thousands of people daily. What we need is better coordination so that traffic can flow more smoothly even while the work is ongoing,” he said.

Residents and commuters further commended the efforts of the police in managing vehicular movement, noting the visible presence of senior officers, including the Area Commander, during peak periods.
Community stakeholders, including youth representatives, also called on contractors handling the project to intensify efforts, ensuring minimal disruption to socio-economic activities while delivering on the rehabilitation mandate.

Despite the challenges, there is a shared optimism among stakeholders that the project, when completed, will significantly improve connectivity and boost economic activities along the Sango-Ota corridor.