The Ogun State Ministry of Transportation announced on Sunday that Oke-Itoku Junction inbound in Sapon, Abeokuta, will be restricted to traffic on Tuesday, December 5, and Thursday, December 8, 2023.
According to reports from the ministry, signed by Commissioner Gbenga Dairo, this measure aims to manage the anticipated surge in human and vehicular activity during the burial ceremonies for the late Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson.
The events are slated to occur in the vicinity of the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba’s Palace in Sapon on the specified days.
Dairo explained that, consequently, from 2 pm to 8 pm on the mentioned dates, inbound traffic from Ake and surrounding areas to Sapon will be redirected to Sapon/Ijemo-Agbadu/Ake near Oke-Itoku Junction. This temporary alteration will convert the area into a two-way traffic zone for the duration of these events.
The statement partly read, “This is to notify the general public, particularly the motoring public, that Oke-Itoku Junction inbound Sapon will not be accessible to traffic on Tuesday, 5th and Thursday, 8th December 2023, due to the heavy flow of human and vehicular movement anticipated during the service of songs and other burial activities put in place for the late Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief Mrs Oluwaseun Alaba Lawson, scheduled to hold at the Osile Oke-Ona Egbas Palace, Sapon, on the said days.”
“Consequently, inbound traffic from Ake and environs to Sapon will be diverted to Sapon/Ijemo-Agbadu/Ake near Oke-Itoku Junction, thereby temporarily converting it to two-way traffic for the duration of the event on each of the two days as stated below:
Day 1 (Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 2pm -8pm)
Day 2 (Thursday, December 8, 2023, 2pm-8pm)
“Nevertheless, TRACE ditto other safety and security agencies will be deployed along the routes in question to ensure effective and integrated traffic management to limit delays and traffic congestion.
“While pleading with members of the public and road users along the axis for their cooperation and understanding for any inconveniences this might cause, the Ogun State Government assures that the strategy put in place will minimise delay and guarantee orderliness.”