OGUN: Gridlock at Lagos-Ibadan expressway as pipeline explodes

•Motorists advised to find alternative routes

THE Ogun State Traffic Management Agency has urged motorists and those that ply the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to find alternative routes for the time being.

This is following a gas pipeline explosion that occurred at the Punch newspaper’s Head Office at the Arepo-Magoro axis of the ever busy expressway.

The explosion resulted in a traffic gridlock as hundreds of commuters scampered for safety.

But in a statement issued by TRACE this morning, the agency allayed the fears of those trapped in the gridlock amid huge hissing sound, noting that first responders have arrived at the area.

The statement, however, advised commuters to stay safe while the responders swing into action.

“An incident of gas leakage, through a damaged pipeline by Julius Berger, the Construction Company, working on the Berger-interchange stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which has resulted into(sic) an explosion around Punch Newspaper, Magboro, has been reported with traffic gridlock on both inbound and outbound sections of the expressway,” TRACE said in a statement.

“Road Users around the axis are implored not to be glittery as Safety Officials from TRACE, FRSC, POLICE and FIRE SERVICE are on top of the situation.

“Those trapped in traffic are admonished to be patient, while those presently making their journey towards the expressway and are in haste should please seek alternative routes,” the statement added.

Naija Times gathered that the gas pipeline ruptured during construction works by men of Julius Berger company on the expressway on Wednesday.