Repair of Third Mainland Bridge
THE
seeming disagreement between the Lagos State Government and the Federal
Road Safety Commission (FRSC) over who should take charge of traffic
control during the proposed repair of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge is
needless, and constitutes a dissipation of energy. The two authorities
ought to pull resources together for the obviously uphill assignment,
which, even between the two of them, is bound to be difficult. The good
thing is that similar repairs were carried out a few years ago on the
bridge, the experience of which should come in handy now.
Although the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Charles Nseobong Akpabio, has hinted of a postponement of the proposed repair, in order to put more measures in place, the suspension should not drag on unduly, so as not to put users of the bridge to avoidable risk. The State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola explained that it is the constitutional duty of each state to manage traffic within its area of jurisdiction. Akpabio, on the other hand claims that the commission has responsibility to manage traffic on all federal roads, including those passing through state territorial jurisdiction. He however added that all FRSC formations in the state would be deployed to strategic designated locations in conjunction with other security and safety personnel to achieve good synergy.
It would appear that the need to reconcile the difference informed the FRSC’s postponement of the repair, which was originally scheduled to start from yesterday, and for the next four months (July 1 to November 6, 2012). The routine repairs, as the Federal Ministry of Works called it, will necessitate partial closure of the bridge. It is no doubt a meaningful exercise aimed at public safety. The bridge is believed to be one of the longest in Africa, measuring 11.8 kilometres. The repair project nonetheless raises issues regarding the flow of traffic, a matter that is almost perpetually vexed in the city. Considering that the Third Mainland Bridge is a major link between the Lagos Mainland where most people of the state reside, and the Lagos Island where most of them work, the closure is bound to compound Lagosians’ pain on traffic. The challenge is for the appropriate authorities to work in concert to minimise the complications expected from carrying out the repair.
In the circumstance, the concerns of motorists who commute through the bridge daily to reach different parts of the metropolis and beyond for their business and other activities is not misplaced. The experience of 2008 was not exactly pleasant while it lasted. Some businesses were crippled. The loss to the economy was enormous. There were also adverse health impacts on many people caused by stress. Hoodlums and other criminals took advantage of the traffic snarl to rob motorists of money and other valuables, especially at night.
These factors require that the Federal and Lagos State Governments should agree on an effective strategy to minimise the adverse impacts on the people in the course of the repairs. There is need to harmonise efforts to reduce public dislocation. The authorities, for instance can consider carrying out much of the repairs during the weekends and at nights. But there should be no inordinate delay to carry out the repair under any excuse. Safety of lives and property should take pre-eminence over authority to control traffic.
The absence of a disagreement on the necessity to repair the bridge in order to prevent possible accidental consequences is notable. The authorities should strive to minimise disruption to economic activities. The bridge provides link to several parts of Lagos metropolis and beyond. It links the ever-busy Apapa-Oshodi Expressway that connects Apapa and Tin Can ports, as well as the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Through the bridge also, there is link to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that serves as gateway to other parts of Northern, Eastern and Southern states. The importance of the bridge, therefore, cannot be over emphasized.
News about the closure of the bridge, now suspended, was confirmed last week by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Lateef Ibirogba, who added that plans were in top gear to provide alternative routes for motorists and other road users. According to him, there would be proper information and education for Lagosians to know how to move throughout the period of the closure. This information should be effectively communicated to enable people take appropriate decisions on routes.
Governor Fashola has clarified that the closure of the bridge would not be total but partial; and that the repair work on the bridge was to fix the expansion joints, which are the metals joining segments of the bridge. There would still be traffic challenges, since without closure, traffic on the bridge can be heavy most times.
At this critical time, the goal should be to minimise traffic congestion and ensure smooth flow of traffic. Both the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and FRSC should join hands to achieve this, without prejudice to the constitutional provision cited by the governor.
Considering that alternative routes would form the main remedy to the traffic bottleneck that would be created, Lagos State should ensure that the access roads are in good condition, especially, during this rainy season. Most access inner city roads in Lagos are in bad shape, while effort appears to be concentrated on the major highways within the metropolis.
Whenever government decides to commence the repair, motorists should comport themselves, be patient and avoid reckless driving. With proper coordination by the various authorities and cooperation by members of the public, the repair of the bridge will be effected and the traffic controlled with minimal hardship to Lagos commuters.
Although the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Charles Nseobong Akpabio, has hinted of a postponement of the proposed repair, in order to put more measures in place, the suspension should not drag on unduly, so as not to put users of the bridge to avoidable risk. The State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola explained that it is the constitutional duty of each state to manage traffic within its area of jurisdiction. Akpabio, on the other hand claims that the commission has responsibility to manage traffic on all federal roads, including those passing through state territorial jurisdiction. He however added that all FRSC formations in the state would be deployed to strategic designated locations in conjunction with other security and safety personnel to achieve good synergy.
It would appear that the need to reconcile the difference informed the FRSC’s postponement of the repair, which was originally scheduled to start from yesterday, and for the next four months (July 1 to November 6, 2012). The routine repairs, as the Federal Ministry of Works called it, will necessitate partial closure of the bridge. It is no doubt a meaningful exercise aimed at public safety. The bridge is believed to be one of the longest in Africa, measuring 11.8 kilometres. The repair project nonetheless raises issues regarding the flow of traffic, a matter that is almost perpetually vexed in the city. Considering that the Third Mainland Bridge is a major link between the Lagos Mainland where most people of the state reside, and the Lagos Island where most of them work, the closure is bound to compound Lagosians’ pain on traffic. The challenge is for the appropriate authorities to work in concert to minimise the complications expected from carrying out the repair.
In the circumstance, the concerns of motorists who commute through the bridge daily to reach different parts of the metropolis and beyond for their business and other activities is not misplaced. The experience of 2008 was not exactly pleasant while it lasted. Some businesses were crippled. The loss to the economy was enormous. There were also adverse health impacts on many people caused by stress. Hoodlums and other criminals took advantage of the traffic snarl to rob motorists of money and other valuables, especially at night.
These factors require that the Federal and Lagos State Governments should agree on an effective strategy to minimise the adverse impacts on the people in the course of the repairs. There is need to harmonise efforts to reduce public dislocation. The authorities, for instance can consider carrying out much of the repairs during the weekends and at nights. But there should be no inordinate delay to carry out the repair under any excuse. Safety of lives and property should take pre-eminence over authority to control traffic.
The absence of a disagreement on the necessity to repair the bridge in order to prevent possible accidental consequences is notable. The authorities should strive to minimise disruption to economic activities. The bridge provides link to several parts of Lagos metropolis and beyond. It links the ever-busy Apapa-Oshodi Expressway that connects Apapa and Tin Can ports, as well as the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Through the bridge also, there is link to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that serves as gateway to other parts of Northern, Eastern and Southern states. The importance of the bridge, therefore, cannot be over emphasized.
News about the closure of the bridge, now suspended, was confirmed last week by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Lateef Ibirogba, who added that plans were in top gear to provide alternative routes for motorists and other road users. According to him, there would be proper information and education for Lagosians to know how to move throughout the period of the closure. This information should be effectively communicated to enable people take appropriate decisions on routes.
Governor Fashola has clarified that the closure of the bridge would not be total but partial; and that the repair work on the bridge was to fix the expansion joints, which are the metals joining segments of the bridge. There would still be traffic challenges, since without closure, traffic on the bridge can be heavy most times.
At this critical time, the goal should be to minimise traffic congestion and ensure smooth flow of traffic. Both the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and FRSC should join hands to achieve this, without prejudice to the constitutional provision cited by the governor.
Considering that alternative routes would form the main remedy to the traffic bottleneck that would be created, Lagos State should ensure that the access roads are in good condition, especially, during this rainy season. Most access inner city roads in Lagos are in bad shape, while effort appears to be concentrated on the major highways within the metropolis.
Whenever government decides to commence the repair, motorists should comport themselves, be patient and avoid reckless driving. With proper coordination by the various authorities and cooperation by members of the public, the repair of the bridge will be effected and the traffic controlled with minimal hardship to Lagos commuters.
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