Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has taken full responsibility and apologised to motorists who endured prolonged traffic gridlock for several hours on Wednesday following the closure of the Independence Bridge in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu offered his apology on Thursday morning during an on-the-spot assessment of the Independence Bridge, stating that inadequate public communication and planning regarding the road closure contributed to the traffic congestion witnessed by motorists on Wednesday.
The governor, who was accompanied by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi; his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Hon Sola Giwa, among others, noted that work on the bridge had commenced earlier, but the full impact became evident due to the road closure.
He attributed the heavy traffic to the mass return of workers after the Eid-el-Fitr holiday, with a large number of commuters resuming duty at the same time.
“This was a case of everyone rushing out at the same time after a long weekend to return to their workplaces. This part of the city (Island) is the Central Business District. It was due to inadequate communication, and I take full responsibility.
“Work had already started on the bridge, and it was assumed that people were aware. Communication is key to enforcement, and we must continue providing updates to help people plan alternative routes,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, stated that the bridge would be closed for about three weeks. He pleaded with residents whose jobs do not require physical presence on the Island to consider alternative work arrangements, as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, to reduce vehicular movement and help ease congestion on the roads.
“For those who don’t need to be physically present on the Island in the next two to three weeks, I encourage you to use virtual means such as telephone and Zoom meetings. Plan ahead for your business and consider working remotely.
“This is not the time to drive recklessly or go against traffic. A little patience will go a long way in solving the problem,” he advised.
Sanwo-Olu assured that additional traffic enforcement officers and security personnel would be deployed to manage traffic flow and ensure the safety of motorists throughout the rehabilitation period to mitigate the impact of the closure.
“You will see twice the number of LASTMA officers on the road, working late into the night to ease the congestion,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while responding to the directive by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, for the immediate reopening of the bridge, said the order might not be feasible, given the current state of the road. According to him, the ongoing excavation work had rendered the route impassable.
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