…as Lagos sets up special tem for Apapa gridlock
The Lagos State Government said partial opening of the Third Mainland Bridge will resume from 00.01 a.m. on Monday, following the early completion of the casting of some joints.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
The re-opening will allow the resumption of movement arrangements of 12.00 a.m. for Lagos Island bound motorists and 12.00 noon for Mainland bound motorist subsist.
The bridge was totally shut on 28 January to enable completion of repair works on the double sized expansion.
It was to be reopened on 2 February.
However, the casting was accomplished much faster, by Saturday.
Oladeinde expressed gratitude to Lagos residents, especially those affected by the closure, for their understanding.
“LASG hereby appeals to residents to cooperate with the state government as all other ongoing rehabilitation projects would come to an end in a very short while.
“The benefits, including safety, is for all and sundry,’’ Oladehinde said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the constitution of a Special Traffic Management and Enforcement Compliance Team to resolve the traffic gridlock in and around Apapa.
Members of the team are Hon. Toyin Fayinka (Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation) Engr. Olajide Oduyoye (General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA); Hon. Sola Giwa (SSA to the Governor on Central Business Districts); and Ayodeji Laurent: (SSA to the Governor on Political Security Intelligence).
The Special Traffic Management and Enforcement Compliance Team is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring zero tolerance for traffic offenders and a seamless traffic management system specifically designed to restore sanity in and around Apapa.
The team must also create a cohesive system that would aid the resurgence of business activities and ensure that residents live in a conducive environment devoid of traffic-induced stress.
The governor said that the area of coverage of the Team’s operations includes: Ikorodu Road to Oshodi – Mile 2 – Apapa; Ikorodu Road – Funsho Williams Avenue (Surulere) – Alaka – Iganmu – SIFAX – Ijora 7up – Apapa, Surulere – Alaka – Eko Bridge – Ijora Olopa – Ijora 7up – Apapa.
With the development, it is expected that traffic within Apapa and its environs will be better managed by a team of dedicated LASTMA, FRSC, POLICE and Intelligence service Officers.
Sanwo-Olu added that the Policemen from Area ‘B’ Police Command will tentatively provide security back-up for the team, pending the announcement of the new security architecture by the State Government.
