Ambode Declares Public Holiday as Buhari Visits Lagos Thursday

Rasaq AbdulKareem/

Thursday, March 29, has been declared a work-free-day in Lagos by the state government.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan says this will enable Lagosians come out enmasse to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari who is on a historic two-day visit to Lagos State.

Announcing traffic diversions and alternative routes ahead of the two-day visit by President Buhari to the State between March 29 and 30,  Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Imohimi Edgal, at a press briefing held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, said adequate preparations had been made to mitigate the impact of the road diversions on residents, while access would be given to any emergency situation.

Edgal, who addressed the briefing alongside 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 the 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.

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.

The police boss added that they had done the necessary threat assessments; and have reached out to all stakeholders  to ensure their full cooperation.

He used the opportunity to call again on the Okada Unions and the National Union of Road Transport Workers that they must abide with the directive.

He said, “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 patronise 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.”

He added that three locations had 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 had commenced the construction of a new Trailer Park in Ijora axis that could conveniently accommodate 2,800 trucks and tanker at a time.

He said, “The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in collaboration with stakeholders, has identified a location known as the White Sand in Ijora axis and we have done an assessment of the place with my colleagues in other agencies and all shanties there 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 taken care of this trucks and tankers.”

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