Bridge repairs slow down Lagos businesses

The partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge continued to slow down business activities on the Lagos Island and some parts of the Mainland on Tuesday.
Investigations revealed that due to the attendant chaotic traffic situation, topping the list of affected residents were commercial motorists, office workers and business owners who could not finish their transactions or make it to their shops on time.
A commercial bus driver, Rasaki Saheed, said he could not make as many rounds as he normally would.
“It really affected me because I used to take passengers to the Island (from the Mainland) at least six times a day but that has been reduced to three times because of the traffic, and it also reduced my income," he said.
Saheed also said that some of his colleagues had decided not to work on Tuesday due to Monday's experience.
"And that is because they are scared of wasting their money on fuel and getting stuck in traffic," he added.
A civil servant named Bonnyface said he got to work late on Monday, after spending about two hours in traffic.
"This Third Mainland Bridge closure has affected my daily activity. Today (Tuesday) I had to inconvenience myself by leaving my car at home and taking a public cab and even at that, I still got to the office late, even later than I did yesterday," he said.
As much as the partial closure of the bridge affected many residents, there were others who claimed not to be affected in any way.
Idy Owo, a resident, said she was not affected because she stays and works in Ikeja.
"So I don't usually have any cause to go to the Island or any other place connected to the Island," she said.
She added that government's decision to repair the bridge was a wise one, "because the earlier they repair the bridge, the better for Lagos."
The 11.8 km bridge is the longest in Africa. It connects Lagos Island to the mainland.