A civil servant, Mr Soji Oladele, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was surprised that fares had been increased by more than 100 per cent.
“I was surprised this morning to hear conductors charging N500 from Alausa Ikeja to Obalende as against N200 it used to attract.
“This is unfortunate. Many people were stranded at bus stops because they did not prepare for this increment,” he said.
NAN reported that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) had assured that efforts were in place to ensure free flow of traffic during the period.
The Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Hyginus Omeje, said more than 200 personnel were on ground at the critical corridors to ensure free vehicular movements.
Omeje said there was collaboration between the various law enforcement agencies to ensure free flow of traffic.
Govt issues alternative routes, apologises to motorists
The Lagos State government, on Friday, issued alternative routes to motorists in the state following the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for repairs midnight of Thursday.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Ladi Lawanson, at a news conference in Ikeja, explained that the closure of the bridge, which should have occurred about four weeks ago, was delayed till Thursday night due to interventions of the state governor.
According to Lawanson, “the harsh conditions Lagosians were going through due to the Apapa gridlock issues and articulated vehicles menace was the major reason the state government appealed to the Honourable Minister of Works, Power and Housing that the bridge closure should be delayed.
“The Honourable Minister graciously acceded to that request, and the Third Mainland Bridge closure was delayed till this time.
“That delay availed us the opportunity to put in place palliative measures that ensured Lagosians can be able to traverse the State during the bridge closure with as little inconveniences as possible.
“We have been in close collaboration with all agencies, including federal agencies. As you can see, the Lagos Sector Commander of the FRSC is here with us. Our Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) and the police are also with us. They have all put together a palliative measure that will help Lagosians endure the inconveniences the bridge closure will bring.
“This palliative measure will help people to navigate the state in the interim while the bridge remains closed.
“The alternative routes are: Motorists from Lagos-Abeokuta express road, Agege Motor Road, Ogba and Ikeja are to make use of Oshodi via Mushin, Ojuelegba to connect Eko Bridge into Lagos Island.
“Motorists from Ikorodu, Maryland are to make use of Yaba, Oyingbo and Iddo to access Carter Bridge into Idumota, Martins Street and Balogun.
“Motorists from Okokomaiko, FESTAC, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway are enjoined to ply through Ajegunle via Marine Bridge to Ijora to connect Carter or Eko bridge by Ijora Olopa to Apongbon, Lagos Island.
“Conversely, motorists from the Island are expected to ply Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge into Lagos Mainland, while those in Lekki Ajah can make use of Epe axis through Imota into Ikorodu.”
The state government apologised to residents over inconveniences resulting from the closure of the bridge for the three-day integrity test.
The Commissioner for Transport, Mr Lawanson, made the apology at the news conference, saying the test ought to have been conducted earlier by the Federal Ministry of Works but was shifted because the state government felt the timing was wrong.
“Appeal was made then to the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and they agreed to the point and it was not closed at that time.
“But now, effective palliatives have been in place for residents to be able to traverse as much as possible.
“We apologise and sympathise with the motorists for any inconveniences it might have caused,” the commissioner said.
He said the integrity test would also be carried out on other bridges across the state.
He said that some other bridges in the state were also due for such test, adding that very soon, the state government would evacuate the tankers on the bridges to ensure proper test on them.
According to him, the state government will continue to update the residents from time to time on the new development.
“We are open to feedback from time to time; we apologise for any inconveniences it may have caused the residents,” the commissioner said.
The 11.8 kilometre bridge was closed to traffic on August 23 for maintenance. The closure had sparked fears that Lagos would face a traffic lockdown.
The ‘investigative maintenance test’ is expected to last for three days between August 24 and August 26.
A NAN correspondent reported that traffic was smooth on the Lagos-Abeokuta Highway from Iyana-Ipaja through Agege Motor Road.
The correspondent reported that traffic also flowed on Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge through Apongbon to the Lagos Mainland.
Officials of LASTMA, FRSC and the police could be seen directing traffic at various areas, including Ijora Olopa Bus Stop.
A civil servant, Mr Louis Chukwudubem, attributed the free traffic flow to lower population because some residents had travelled for the sallah holiday and had yet to return.
“Schools are on holidays and some people that travelled for sallah are not back. All the same, the people directing traffic are working,” he said.
Assistant Corps Commander of the FRSC, Hauwa Olowookere, told NAN that the success recorded was due to adequate planning.
She said a committee comprising traffic regulatory and law enforcement agents set up by the Federal Ministry of Works was working in synergy to ensure free flow of traffic.
“The traffic control sub-committee set up by the Lagos Federal Controller of Works, FRSC, LASEMA, RLU, Civil Defence, LASTMA, police has been working to ensure free traffic flow,” Olowookere said.
She, however, appealed to road users to continue to cooperate with traffic managers and law enforcement agents to sustain sanity on the roads.
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