The Lagos State Government wednesday announced
restriction of movement in some of the major highways to be used for the
February 6, 2016 Access Lagos City Marathon scheduled to start by 7am at the
National Stadium in Surulere and terminates at Eko Atlantic City.
The Access Lagos City Marathon which was last held in
1983, is billed to be attended by over 20,000 athletes, including over 20
world-class marathoners.
Speaking during a press conference at the Bagauda
Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on
Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi disclosed that the marathon will
start from the National Stadium and move
to Anthony Village, and thereafter to Gbagada Road, Third Mainland Bride
through Alfred Rewane to Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge and terminate at the Eko Atlantic
City.
Elegushi, who explained that the marathon will
commence at 7am, said the restriction of traffic will however start from 6:30am
and end at 1pm, adding that adequate arrangements have been put in place to
ensure that security operatives and officials of the Lagos State Traffic
Management Authority (LASTMA) barricade access to the dual carriage way to be
affected by the event.
According to him, all traffic flow and access from
Alaka and Alhaji Masha to National Stadium towards Ojuelegba and along Western
Avenue terminating at Anthony Bus stop would be blocked, while the whole
stretch of the Anthony Oke to Gbagada unto Third Mainland Bridge along with
accesses at New Garage, Adeniji Adele interchange; Sura/Simpson and Obalende
would equally be blocked.
He added that all access from Dolphin Estate towards
Osborne terminating at Falomo Road About would be blocked for the event, while
access to Falomo Roundabout from Alfred Rewane (Kingsway Road), Awolowo Road
and traffic from Victoria Island would also be affected.
According to Elegushi, other areas to be affected
include all access/link roads along Bourdillon up to Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge
Roundabout and the Link Bridge, while there would also be blockade of traffic
on Admiralty Way from the bridge outlet inward Lekki-Epe Expressway inward
Ozumba Mbadiwe to Akin Adesola, Bishop Oluwole and Bar Beach (Atlantic City).
He, however, call on all Lagosians “to see the event
not only as a sporting event but for its tourism content. As a people who are
naturally friendly, we should put on display, our positive attitude to
visitors,” Elegushi counseled.
He said governor would not hesitate to lift the
restriction if and when it is perceived as necessary to bring about free flow
of traffic.
While regretting any inconveniences that the residents
might suffer as a result of the restriction, Elegushi said the security
operatives and LASTMA officials have been stationed to ensure free flow of
traffic in all the other alternative routes which the people could make use of
during the event.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Chris Olakpe assured residents of the preparedness of his men to ensure a hitch-free tournament.
Olakpe, a retired assistant inspector general of police, added that instructions have been given to his men to be civil in dealing with residents.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Chris Olakpe assured residents of the preparedness of his men to ensure a hitch-free tournament.
Olakpe, a retired assistant inspector general of police, added that instructions have been given to his men to be civil in dealing with residents.