Movement restricted in part of Lagos for marathon races

THE Lagos State Government says there will be a restriction of vehicular movement on some major highways on Saturday, February 6, 2016.

The government explained that the move became necessary due to the 2016 Lagos International Marathon scheduled for Saturday, and billed to commence by 7am at the National Stadium, Surulere, and to terminate at the Eko Atlantic City.

It added that the marathon, which was last held in 1983, would be attended by over 20,000 athletes.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Olanrewaju Elegushi, at a press conference on Wednesday, said the participants in the marathon would start from the National Stadium, Surulere and move through the Funsho Williams Avenue to the Ikorodu Road.

He added that they would pass through the Anthony Bridge to the Gbagada area, and move towards the Third Mainland Bridge, where they would pass through Obalende and Alfred Rewane roads to Lekki -Ikoyi Bridge, and would terminate the marathon at the Eko Atlantic City.

Elegushi said, “The marathon will commence by 7am. The restriction of traffic will, however, start from 6.30am and end at 1pm. Adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure that security operatives and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority barricade access roads to the highways that the marathoners will pass through.”

He called 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 display our positive attitude to visitors,” he added.

He said the restrictions would be lifted in batches as the marathoners pass through each area to ensure free flow of traffic.

While regretting any inconveniences that the residents might suffer as a result of the restriction, Elegushi said security operatives and LASTMA officials would be stationed to direct motorists to alternative routes which they could make use of.

Speaking further on the restriction, the LASTMA spokesman, Jubril Oshodi, said all traffic flows from Alaka and Alhaji Masha to the National Stadium towards Ojuelegba and on Western Avenue, terminating at Anthony bus stop would be blocked, while the whole stretch of Anthony to Gbagada to Third Mainland Bridge, New Garage, Adeniji Adele interchange, Simpson and Obalende, would equally be blocked.

He added that inner roads in Osborne, Falomo, Alfred Rewane Road, Awolowo Road, Bourdillon, Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Admiralty Way, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Akin Adesola, Bishop Oluwole and the Bar Beach would not be allowed to discharge vehicular traffic to the main road where the marathoners would pass through.

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 had been given to his men to be civil in dealing with residents.

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