•Governor assures motorists of improved measures
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has taken full accountability and apologised to motorists who endured extended visitors gridlock for a number of hours on Wednesday following the closure of the Independence Bridge in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Talking throughout an on-the-spot evaluation of the Independence Bridge on Thursday morning, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi; his Data and Technique counterpart, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso and Particular Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Hon. Sola Giwa, amongst different State officers, stated insufficient public communication and planning in regards to the street closure contributed to the visitors congestion witnessed by motorists on Wednesday.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who famous that work on the bridge had commenced earlier however the full impression turned evident because of the street closure, attributed the heavy visitors to the mass return of employees after the Eid-el-Fitr vacation, with a lot of commuters resuming responsibility on the identical time.
“This was a case of everybody speeding out on the identical time after an extended weekend to return to their workplaces. This a part of town (Island) is the Central Enterprise District. It was because of insufficient communication, and I take full accountability.
“Work had already began on the bridge and it was assumed that individuals had been conscious. Communication is essential to enforcement, and we should proceed offering updates to assist folks plan various routes,” he stated.
The Governor stated the bridge could be closed for about three weeks and due to this fact appealed to residents whose jobs don’t require bodily presence on the Island to think about various work preparations, as was executed through the COVID-19 pandemic, to cut back vehicular motion and assist ease congestion on the roads.
“For individuals who don’t must be bodily current on the Island within the subsequent two to 3 weeks, I encourage you to make use of digital means similar to phone and Zoom conferences. Plan forward for your online business and contemplate working remotely.
“This isn’t the time to drive recklessly or go towards visitors. A bit endurance will go a good distance in fixing the issue,” the Governor suggested.
The Governor assured that extra visitors enforcement officers and safety personnel could be deployed to handle visitors move and make sure the security of motorists all through the rehabilitation interval to mitigate the impression of the closure.
“You will notice twice the variety of LASTMA officers on the street, working late into the night time to ease the congestion,” he stated.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, whereas responding to the directive by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, for the quick reopening of the bridge, stated the order won’t be possible, given the present state of the street. He defined that ongoing excavation work had rendered the route impassable.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
