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Ambode inspects traffic-prone areas

By Wole Oyebade
22 June 2015   |   2:08 am
Sequel to his charge on state traffic officials, state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has taken a proactive measure by inspecting traffic-prone areas in the state.
Ambode

Ambode

0rders expansion of bottlenecks
•To relocate busstops off market zones 

Sequel to his charge on state traffic officials, state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has taken a proactive measure by inspecting traffic-prone areas in the state.

Ambode, in company of key state officials, last week, took a tour of traffic high points in Ketu, Mile 2, Oworonsoki, 7up at old tollgate, Ojodu Berger and Pen Cinema in Agege.

On Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, he inspected the traffic situation in Abule-Egba, Oke-Odo, Iyana-Ipaja and Dopemu axis.   At the Oworonsoki interchange, where the inspection was longer, Ambode observed that the Gbagada bus stop, on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway-end, was the cause of traffic bottleneck in the area.

Crossing over, through the pedestrian bridge, the governor took some time to rack his brain on how to expand the road around the Third Mainland- Oshodi interchange, to decongest the perennial traffic gridlock in the axis during rush hours.

Using a Google map on a smartphone device, the governor and state officials among whom were the Director of Transport Engineering, Frederick Olofin; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport, Oluseyi Coker, General Manager, Engr Ayotunde Shodehinde and General Manager LASTMA, Babatunde Edu among others, exchanged ideas on how best to tackle the problem of expanding the road to reset the bus terminal farther to give way to smooth traffic flow.

While stressing that his plan was to bring respite to road users, through quick fixes of major traffic points, he declared: “The more terminus we have the better for us.”   At the 7up end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the governor inspected the bus stop and abandoned offices once occupied by men of the SURE-P Federal Task Force.

He said the structure was a bad advertisement on the gateway into the State. The idea of a modern park and ride outlet in the area, he observed, was where residents going into Ketu or Alausa or going to Lagos from Mowe Ibafo axis can park their cars and ride in public buses.

Commenting on the inspection, Ambode said the tour was to show that government was deeply concerned about the perennial traffic in the state and was in the process of proffering pragmatic solution to each corridor.

In his words: “The truth is that we must start to have solutions to our traffic challenges in the state and that is what we are doing. All the agencies are here as a team and Lagosians will begin to see changes in the traffic situation.

“I have already approved that work should start on a footbridge in Berger. Beyond that, we don’t want traffic on that axis. So, we are looking at additional solutions to make the road free,” he said.   PS, Transport, Coker, said the inspection was in continuation of an earlier directive that all traffic points be identified for immediate plan to address them.

“Having gone round, he (Ambode) has given directive that bus stops should not be cited close to markets. We have looked around for alternatives to these places.

In order for people not to be punished, he has directed that we put canopies in bus stops to serve as shelter. But in places where we cannot have immediate solutions, he has directed that we mobilise our men to manage the traffic. We will henceforth submit recommendation for immediate actions to be taken,” Coker said.

Shodehinde added that his men would start work by Monday (today0, following the release of funds by state government that will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the roads are free and motorable.

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