The Lagos State Government on Wednesday announced restriction of movement in some of the major highways to be used for the February 6, 2016 International Marathon scheduled to start by 7am at National Stadium Surulere and terminate at Eko Atlantic City.
The Lagos International 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, and thereafter to Gbagada Road, Third Mainland Bride through Alfred Rewane to Lekki Ikoyi Bridge and terminate at 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 Bride 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.
