Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to residents and motorists to remain patient as ongoing repair works on the Kara Bridge continue to worsen traffic congestion across parts of the state.
Sanwo-Olu made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday following a multiple-truck accident at the Kara Bridge, which further disrupted vehicular movement along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway corridor.
The governor acknowledged the frustration being experienced by Lagosians travelling out of the state, as well as residents commuting to various destinations within the metropolis.
He said the accident, coupled with the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge, had compounded the traffic situation and caused congestion on adjoining roads.
According to him, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, emergency response teams, security agencies and other traffic management personnel have been deployed to manage the situation and restore the free flow of traffic.
“Our LASTMA officials, emergency response teams, security agencies and other traffic management teams are on the ground working to ease congestion and keep traffic moving,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the repair works on the bridge were expected to last for about two weeks.
He added that traffic would be managed through the available section of the bridge throughout the period of the repairs.
The governor urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officials, obey traffic directives and, where possible, plan their journeys to avoid the affected routes.
“I appeal to all motorists to please be patient, obey the directions of traffic officials and plan their journeys where possible,” he said.
“Most importantly, we feel your pain. Please, stay safe,” Sanwo-Olu added.
The governor’s appeal followed severe traffic congestion recorded around the Kara-Berger axis on Tuesday night as motorists battled to navigate the area amid the ongoing bridge repairs.
The gridlock, which reportedly became intense from about 4pm, left hundreds of motorists, including workers returning home after the day’s activities, stranded for several hours.
As of about 9pm, some motorists reported that they had remained virtually stuck in the same position, with little or no movement recorded along parts of the busy corridor.
Share this content:
About The Author
