OGERE: SANITY AT LAST

IT is such a sweet relief that the nightmare contrived by the contingent of articulated vehicle (trailer) drivers at the mid-section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway at Ogere, has been brought, hopefully, to an end. For quite some time now, the expressway had ceased to be one because the distance of 145 kilometres between Ibadan and Lagos could take hours on account of the menace which the trailers constituted on both sides of the road.

AS soon as the trailers made an illegal path on the expressway, illegal shops and shanties started sprouting on it, further reducing the space available for traffic. It worsened to such an extent that other road users, on several occasions, were forced to abandon one lane of the expressway for the trailers, violating traffic laws by facing the oncoming vehicles and thereby creating the very chaotic situation which an expressway should ordinarily prevent. The gridlock that was created at Ogere was, therefore, a demonstration of lawlessness because at some points, it became quite clear that the trailer drivers were beyond reproach.

THEY spurned the alternatives offered by the Ogun State Government, which had built a trailer park to ease the traffic and refused the use of the amenities like hotels, hostels, market stalls and petrol stations that were provided. The trailer drivers instead preferred to stay right there in the expressway, using their vehicles to cause a blockage, thus lending credence to the popular belief that powerful people were behind the perpetual gridlock at the Ogere end of the expressway.

WITH the Ogun State Government exercising its power in concert with other relevant authorities, these trailers have been forced out of the expressway, thereby easing the chaotic traffic situation on the road and restoring sanity to it. Motorists who have travelled on the road have expressed relief and satisfaction at the efforts of the government at bringing discipline back to the road. This new experience has made travelling on the Lagos -Ibadan expressway very delightful. Also, all the makeshift stalls occupied by trailers on the road have been cleared.

THE Ogun State Government, headed by Otunba Gbenga Daniel, must be commended for having the will to effect these welcome changes. The other federal authorities must be commended, too, for cooperating with the Ogun State government. By their actions, they have proved that government, if it has the will, can effectively bring about desirable changes no matter how deep the rot may seem in any situation.

HOWEVER, it is one thing for the government to bring back sanity and discipline that were once lost to the expressway, it is another thing entirely for the discipline and sanity to be maintained. We suspect that having profited immensely from the illegality, these trailer drivers may be predisposed to returning like the proverbial dog to its vomit. This is why the authorities must be alerted to the virtue of eternal vigilance. The government must not allow the return of this band of wilful lawbreakers; it can do this by imposing stiff penalties on those who contravene the laws. Any trailer that parks again on the expressway must be towed and the owner should be duly penalised and made to pay the cost of towing apart form the rates which parking in the provided trailers’ park attract.

THERE is also the need to alert the government to the probability of the menace of illegal trailer parks mushrooming in the other parts of the expressway like Ibafo. Such a negative development should also be discouraged immediately. The constellation of several settlements of different religious persuasions on the expressway is another cause of chaotic traffic situation on the ever-busy highway. These religious interests should also be told of the need not to abuse privileges and cause destruction to government infrastructure or by preventing other Nigerians from enjoying such infrastructure. We are aware of the various face-offs between these religious groups and the government because of diametrically opposed interests.

THE infrastructure provided by the government should not be obstructed in any way on grounds of religious sentiments. A long lasting solution should be worked out with these religious groups to ensure that the road built by the government is duly enjoyed by all.

the queen and mandiba

THERE are many things to learn from former South African President, Nelson Mandela,apart from politics. The man was wise enough to be sated with one term of presidency and to go back home with his integrity intact. But beyond politics, former President Mandela is suave enough to charm the Queen of England.

THE other day, when she welcomed him to Burkingham Palace, Mandela said: “You look younger every time I see you”. Mandela is 89 pushing 90 while the Queen is 82. Mandela was in London for a giant 90th birthday concert in Hyde Park and the Queen had invited him for an informal chat.

AS the pair sat opposite each other, Queen Elizabeth smilingly told Mandela, “It’s very nice weather, arranged just for you.”

THIS was a graduate of Robben Island penitetiary on a date with the Queen of England and the Queen was obviously elated to be in his company. It was in nobody’s imagination that both personalities could ever be on this warm line of conversation that could compare only with two love-smitten teenagers.

THE Queen evidently was bowled over by Mandela’s evergreen charm. Both of them shook hands and had twinkles in their eyes. For those whose imagination runs wild quite easily, the story stops there. Former President Mandela was accompanied by his wife, Graca Machel, fortunately. Sensible woman!