The Federal Government has announced plans to commence emergency palliative repairs on deteriorating expansion joints along critical sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following a serious road accident.

Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, made this announcement during a press briefing on Saturday. The decision comes after an 18-seater commercial bus was involved in an accident at Arepo bus stop on Friday, resulting in several passengers sustaining serious injuries.

According to Kesha, the accident was attributed to structural failure at one of the expansion joints on the expressway. She identified three critical areas requiring urgent intervention: Kara, Arepo, and Magboro bridges, noting that the expansion joints in these locations have significantly degraded with visible signs of structural distress.

"A contractor already engaged on the expressway has been instructed to begin palliative maintenance this weekend as an interim solution," Kesha stated, adding that the government is simultaneously processing approvals for a more comprehensive rehabilitation of the affected sections.

The Federal Controller also highlighted vandalism as a significant contributor to the accelerated deterioration of the road infrastructure. "Some of these failures result from acts of vandalism," she explained, urging citizens to view public assets as collective property and to report any suspected sabotage to the authorities.

Expressing concern over the inconvenience and safety hazards caused by the failing infrastructure, Kesha reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing road safety and infrastructure resilience across the country.

"Damaging public property does not benefit any responsible citizen. Let us regard these facilities as our own property," she appealed to the public, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in maintaining critical infrastructure.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria's busiest highways connecting the commercial hub of Lagos to other parts of the country, has been undergoing various phases of rehabilitation in recent years. This emergency intervention aims to address immediate safety concerns while longer-term solutions are being developed.