Lagos asks FG to shift closure of third mainland bridge over Apapa traffic

The Lagos state government has urged the ministry of works, power and housing to consider shifting the proposed closure dates of the third mainland bridge to avoid compounding the traffic situation across the states.

The traffic situation in the state has grown worse as a result of movement of trucks in and out of Apapa port.

In a statement issued by Kehinde Bamigbetan, commissioner for information, the government blamed the congestion along the Apapa-Oshodi highway on the failure of tanker drivers to comply with directives restricting their movement within the state.

He sympathised with commuters and residents, adding that the ongoing industrial action by a section of workers at the Apapa ports contributed to the logjam.

This, according to the government, has slowed down the pace of goods clearance as well as the slow pace of repair works on the roads leading to the ports.

“It is indeed pathetic that private firms seeking to make profit from legitimate commerce would continue to subject the citizens of Lagos state to horrendous pains in spite of the provision of holding bays for their trucks and tankers until it is their turn to pick goods at the ports,” the statement read.

The government assured Lagosians that the state police command and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been directed to flood the affected areas with sufficient officers to further control traffic and bring sanity to bear “on this hectic situation so as to bring immediate succour to our people.”