Gov. Ambode: Fix Alternate Routes Before Closing Third Mainland Bridge
The Oasis Reporters
August 22, 2018
Open Letter By Prince Adeyemi Aseperi
To The Executive Governor Of Lagos State,
Akinwunmi Ambode,
Alausa,
Ikeja,
Lagos.
Dear sir,
BEFORE WE CLOSE THE 3RD MAINLAND BRIDGE !
Sequel to the notification that the popular and busy Lagos 3rd Mainland bridge will be closed from Thursday August 23rd to the midnight of Sunday August 26th, for investigative maintenance test, i write to notify you that there are things to be done before 3rd mainland bridge could be closed to motorists .
I called that the Federal Government had earlier announced plans to close the bridge in July, but had to be shelved after due consultation with the state government and wide deliberations with other stakeholders, who expressed concern about the indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles on other alternative routes which would have adversely affected motorists .
Subsequently, a Joint Task Force set up to remove the articulated vehicles from the highway was said to have been able to achieve a tremendous success but, the trailers are still on the bridges and the road on ikorodu road .
Once Third Mainland bridge is closed, the only alternative route that Lagos State government will be banking on is the Lagos-Ikorodu road, Herbert Macaulay ,Muritala Muhammed into oyingbo, Iddo towards idumota. Sir those roads need fixing before 3rd Mainland Bridge can be closed .
However, a critical look at Ikorodu road shows that the level of potholes and at some levels big gullies at the roads from Mile 12, Ikorodu Road to CMS to Bonny Camp is unimaginable. Same thing with Murtala Muhammed road, which is equally very bad. The road is worse anytime it rains. These we believe should have been fixed before closing the bridge.
Also, Leventis to Silverbird Galleria, overhead bridges and at some point the light rail construction is making motorists pass through hell along those routes and blocking this most used bridge without fixing the bad roads and moving the trailers will further compound the hardship being experienced there already.
Meanwhile, a check at the Lagos-Ikorodu road still shows that tanker drivers are still packed on the bridges and along ikorodu road , Yes!
This is the true nature of that road. If the 3rd Mainland Bridge is closed, there is no way Lagosians can withstand the kind of hardship that will accompany it. Motorists moving from Mainland to Island will be left with no choice than the Lagos-Ikorodu road via Stadium-Constain which will have a hell of a time moving to the Island due to the present rehabilitation going on in some areas connected to the road. Part of Herbert Macaulay road and Murtala Muhammed roads are also asking for repairs .
A typical example was when there was rainfall on Monday,13th of August, 2018, Third Mainland Bridge and ikorodu roads were locked down due to bad roads and water logs which made many motorists and others not to get to work until about 12 noon.
Meanwhile, the Tanker driver’s menace needs urgent attention before the close of the Third Mainland bridge for easy access to the Island .
We agree that the decision jointly taken by the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ade Akinsanya and the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to close down the Third Mainland Bridge is an excellent idea for assessment and repairs.
Therefore, on behalf of millions of Lagosians /Nigerians using the roads, I will like to suggest to our distinguished governor to please fix the problems on some of the alternative routes we talked about before the close of Third Mainland bridge. Otherwise the good intention may turn out to be a major problem to Lagosians /Nigerians . I also hope that the 3 day closure of Third Mainland bridge will be used to fix visible potholes on the bridge .
We acknowledge the work of our distinguished governor, we also know that closing the road is for the welfare of the Lagosians /Nigerians. Well done for all the wonderful jobs you are doing in Lagos state.
Wishing you more wisdom to govern Lagos State.
Cc. Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing
Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola
Cc. Lagos State Commissioner Works and Infrastructure,
Mr Ade Akinsanya
Written by Prince Adeyemi Aseperi
