Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has taken full responsibility and apologised to motorists and commuters who were trapped in traffic for hours following the closure of the Independence Bridge on Victoria Island on Wednesday.
During a visit to assess the situation firsthand on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu admitted that poor and inconsistent communication about the closure played a major role in the traffic congestion.
“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,” he said.
The governor also attributed the gridlock to the increased number of motorists returning to work after the Eid-el-Fitr holiday, saying: “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 is the Central Business District.”
To mitigate the impact of the closure, the governor assured residents that more traffic enforcement officers and security personnel would be deployed to manage traffic flow and ensure the safety of motorists.
“You will see twice the number of LASTMA officers on the road, working late into the night to ease the congestion.”
He further advised Lagos residents to consider remote work options, akin to measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, to reduce vehicular movement on the Island.
“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 for your business and consider working remotely,” he added.
The governor appealed for patience and discipline among road users, urging them to avoid reckless driving and traffic violations.
“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.
Addressing the directive from the Minister of Works to immediately reopen the bridge, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that such a move might not be feasible due to the ongoing excavation work.
“With due respect to the honourable minister, we are the ones on the ground, and we understand the work that needs to be done. At the moment, the road is impassable,” he said.
