The congestion was attributed to indiscriminate roadside parking by truck drivers, impatient motorists, vehicle breakdowns and an accident along the busy highway.
Findings by The Guardian indicated that some drivers of heavy-duty trucks parked by the roadside and continued sleeping into the early hours of the morning, obstructing the free flow of traffic and worsening the congestion.
Several of those caught in the gridlock were drivers of articulated vehicles who had departed, or intended to depart, Benin early to reach their destinations on schedule.
The Okada axis of the expressway was also identified as a recurring congestion point, with a damaged stretch of road near the tipper garage reportedly contributing to the frequent traffic disruptions.
A truck driver, who identified himself as Akanni, criticised some of his colleagues for failing to observe basic road safety practices, saying their actions contributed to the prolonged delay.
“Imagine drivers parking by the roadside, sleeping and failing to wake up on time to continue their journeys, thereby contributing to the gridlock,” he said.
Another driver, identified simply as Chukwu, said he received information about traffic congestion around Ovia Bridge at approximately 2.00 am on Sunday, prompting him to stop and rest at a bypass near Oluku.
He said he was surprised to encounter another gridlock after passing through the Ovia Bridge section without difficulty.
Chukwu attributed the recurring traffic problems to inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations and called on relevant government agencies, particularly the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to ensure compliance with road safety rules.
He also urged the Edo State Government to repair the damaged section near Okada Junction to improve traffic flow and reduce delays for motorists and commuters.
“Everything boils down to the government. Its agencies must enforce the law, while the damaged portion of the road should also be repaired,” he said.
