SUNRISE NEWS, Ogun, July 24, 2020 In view of the partial closure of the third mainland bridge today, the Lagos State Government has assured her citizenry of ease in movement for the next Six months as it prepares to partially close down the 3rd Mainland Bridge for repairs works on worn out expansion joints on the structure of the bridge later today.
At a Press Briefing in Alausa, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde re-assured that the State Government is fully prepared to cater to the mobility needs of residents and visitors of the State as it has deployed 650 LASTMA Officials with the aid of 250 FRSC personnel to diversion points and alternative routes to manage the traffic flow for the duration of the rehabilitation.
The Commissioner reaffirmed that alternatives that would aid in decongesting the roads has been rehabilitated with the Lagos Bus Service Limited deploying more buses to designated routes with clearance to utilize the BRT corridors, while the Ilaje Jetty is in full operation to reduce travel time within the metropolis and to further minimize the inconveniences to be experienced due to the ongoing maintenance.
The Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso termed the anxiety of the citizenry as misplaced because the Lagos State Government is on top of the situation. He implored Lagosians to comply with traffic rules and as the State will manage the traffic flow while the Federal Government will be focused on repair works on the bridge.
In the same vein, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye revealed that procurement process as stipulated by the World Bank for transparency, quality assurance checks and measures, purchase of sensitive and specific materials used in construction were major reasons for the lengthy duration of repair works. She disclosed further that the wear and tear of the section of the bridge underwater takes time to fix.
She reiterated that alternative routes had been rehabilitated and are still undergoing repair to meet the demands of the coming months, assuring that assiduous efforts are being made and palliative measures put in place to ensure ease in movement.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka also announced that the State’s Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be at the forefront of operations with assistance from the Federal Road Safety Corp and the Nigerian Police Force to ensure seamless movement within the axis.
Fayinka assured that LASTMA as a traffic management agency is prepared to manage the movement within the metropolis during the stipulated period of the partial closure of the bridge and has instigated measures to ensure diligence on the part of its Officials through orientation and training.
Corroborating the words of the aforementioned, Chairman Presidential Taskforce, Comrade Kayode Opeifa urged Lagosians to do away with the anxiety brewing over the partial closure of the bridge recounting that the partial closure was not the first of its kind in the State. He recalled that at previous times when the State wasn’t at its current capacity, it had fared fantastically well during the duration of the repairs.
Opeifa also advised organisations to provide buses for their staff to minimize inconveniences as they go about their operations.
Also speaking at the press briefing, The General Manager Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Engr. Olajide Oduyoye clarified that the 650 LASTMA Officers deployed will not affect other traffic management in other areas of the State, stating that minor traffic infringement will also be overlooked during this period.
Oduyoye declared that traffic management is the responsibility of every Lagosian, stating further that patronage of hawkers, indiscriminate stops for advertorial purpose, offloading and pick up of passengers and blocking intersections at BRT lanes among other inappropriate behaviors are impediments to traffic flow.