The federal government, yesterday, announced plans for a second 73.2 kilometre Lagos Outer Ring Road to reduce the current chaotic traffic situation within the Lagos metropolis.

When constructed, all trucks and fuel tankers originating from the ports and tank farms will be diverted to the Ring Road to reduce gridlock being experienced on Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

Works minister, Mike Onolememen, made the disclosure at the House of Representatives Committee on Works 4-day public hearing on the urgent need to address the near total collapse of federal roads across the country.

Onolememen said that the project was conceived to be implemented in partnership with the Lagos and Ogun state governments.

The outer ring road, according to the minister, is divided into two sections; Tin Can Island-Igando-Lagos/Otta road interchange-Lagos/Ibadan expressway. Section two: Lekki-Ikorodu-Ijebu Ode to Sagamu/Benin expressway.

Meanwhile, the works minister told the House Committee that the ministry was at present implementing "Operation Safe Passage on Federal Highways", a programme he said was aimed at recovering deplorable sections of the country's major roads to ameliorate sufferings of road users this festive period.