The Lagos State Government has announced traffic diversion from some routes within the state owing to the presidential and governorship rallies of the All Progressives Congress scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in the Surulere area of the state.
The Ministry of Transportation, in a press release signed by the state Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, on Wednesday, advised residents of the state to plan their movement on the day of the rallies.
According to the release, directional signs, tow vehicles, and barricades would be made available. Oladeinde also assured that traffic management personnel would be on standby to provide assistance and guide motorists/pedestrians during the rallies.
He added that only accredited vehicles, security, emergency, and essential services vehicles would be provided privileged access at the diversion points.
The rallies are expected to take place from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday, according to the statement.
The statement partly read, ” (The) Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, made this known on Wednesday through a statement released by the Ministry advising Lagosians to plan their movement around Teslim Balogun Stadium, Funsho Williams Avenue and Alhaji Masha areas in Surulere.
“Oladeinde revealed that human and vehicular movement around the affected areas would be regulated as there would be series of traffic diversions for safety and security management purposes.”
Speaking on the diversion, Oladeinde stated, “… Traffic on Funsho Williams/Western Avenue inward Lagos Island will be diverted to the Express Lanes at Barracks bus stop for people going to Costain, Apapa, Ijora, Victoria Island, Lagos Island, and off to Olumegbon for people going to New Lagos/Surulere areas.
“…traffic on Funsho Williams/Western Avenue inward Surulere/Ojuelegba will be diverted to the Express Lanes/Stadium Bridge at Alaka bus stop for people going to Mushin, Palmgrove, Ikeja, Ojota, Ikorodu areas, and off to Bode Thomas and Eric Moore at Iponri Estate for people going to New Lagos/Surulere areas.
“…vehicular movement on Alhaji Masha road to Akerele/Shitta junction and Funsho Williams from Olumegbon junction to Alaka would be totally restricted for safety, as only human traffic would be allowed.”
The commissioner further said, “Vehicles conveying party members and others with accredited stickers for the rally would be provided free parking with access at the National Stadium only via Alaka into the National Stadium, … those from Ojuelegba/Mushin/Palmgrove on Funsho Williams will access the National Stadium via U turn at Alaka. Also those from Surulere will access the Stadium via Adeniran Ogunsanya/Bode Thomas/Ogunlana Drive/Alaji Masha to connect Alaka inward the National Stadium.”
“Directional signs, tow vehicles, and barricades would be made available, (and) the Traffic Management Personnel will be on standby to provide assistance and guide motorists/pedestrians during the rallies,” Oladeinde added in the statement.
While reiterating that only accredited vehicles, security, emergency and essential services vehicles will be provided privileged access at the diversion points, the Transport Commissioner also commend Lagosians for their patience and understanding. He solicited residents’ cooperation with all the law enforcement officials assigned to carry out their respective tasks.