The Lagos State Government has declared Thursday, March 29
as a work free day in the State and diverted traffic across the city, urging
Lagosians to seek out alternative route, reports ITRealms.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy,
Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, who disclosed this in a press statement made available
to ITRealms, said this would enable
Lagosians come out enmasse to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) who is
on a historic two-day visit to Lagos State.
He also urged residents to adhere to the security guidance
earlier announced to make the visit as peaceful and orderly.
Meanwhile, on the traffic diversions and alternative routes
ahead of a two-day visit by Buhari to the State between March 29 and 30, the
State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, said at the Lagos House in
Alausa, Ikeja, that adequate preparations have been made to mitigate the impact
of the road diversions on residents, while access would be given to any
emergency situation.
Edgal, accompanied by heads of security and emergency
agencies in the State, said while in Lagos, the President would commission the
new Ikeja Bus Terminal, attend a colloquium in honour of national leader of All
Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and as well as embark
on tour of the Eko Atlantic City, among others.
“To ensure smooth, security-free visit of the President, we
would need to do some diversions. Some certain roads will be closed at certain
times; some diversions will be made but I want to use this opportunity to
appeal for the support and understanding of Lagosians that this temporary road
closures and diversions might cause a little inconvenience.
“We want the people to bear with us to ensure that we all
join hands together to make the visit of Mr. President not only hitch-free but
also very memorable. The road closures and diversions will be very temporary
and immediately the President leaves a certain location, that area will be
opened very quickly for the general public. We have also made adequate
arrangements to mitigate the impact of the closures on residents,” Edgal said.
He listed the areas to be affected to include Bank Anthony
Way in Ikeja, Agege Motor Road, a section of Eko Hotel Road in Victoria Island
and Old Marina in Ikoyi axis.
Besides, Edgal said security arrangement was already in top
gear and that people would see a lot of deployment of personal of both military
and civil logistics adding that it is nothing to worry about.
“We have done the necessary threat assessments; we have
reached out to all stakeholders in areas that we believe we should reach out to
them to ensure their full cooperation. We are using this opportunity to call
again on the Okada Unions and the National Union of Road Transport Workers that
they must abide with the terms of agreement we reached during meetings with
them regarding the visit.
“We will not want to see commercial motorcycles plying the
prohibited routes of Agege Motor Road, Bank Anthony Way and anywhere on the
Island. Should that order be disobeyed, we would be constrained to ensure that
you are arrested with your motorcycles impounded. Whoever is also found as a
passenger will also be arrested and prosecuted so do not patronize these Okadas
on these prohibited routes not only for the purpose of the visit but also to
ensure that Lagos State Laws on the regulation of commercial motorbikes are
obeyed at all times,” Edgal said.
Further, he said three locations have been designated for
all first emergency responders to station their equipment and officials
including the Police, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State
Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASAMBUS, Civil Defence, Fire Brigade,
among others at Ikeja, Victoria Island and Free Trade Zone at Lekki-Akodo axis.
On the Apapa gridlock which has spilled over to other parts
of the State, Edgal said while the Joint Task Force set up by the State
Government was already working to ensure free-flow of traffic, the government
nonetheless has commenced the construction of a new Trailer Park in Ijora axis
that could conveniently accommodate 2,800 trucks and tanker at a time.
As noted by the Chief
Press Secretary to Gov. Ambode, Mr. Habib Aruna noted that the state in collaboration
with stakeholders, have identified a location known as the White Sand in Ijora
axis and an assessment of the place have been conducted leading to all shanties
there to have been destroyed.
“Now, the State
Government has given out the contract to a firm and they are now smoothening up
the place. It has the capacity to take well over 2,800 trucks and tankers at
the same time. Work is ongoing there at a very fast pace and I can assure
Lagosians that very soon, the place will be completed and we intend to move all
trucks, tankers to that location and as soon as that is done, we would have
permanently take care of this trucks and tankers,” Edgal said.
Ayo Midele/GEE
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