Gridlock: Lagos govt. promises relief as CP deploys 1,000 policemen for traffic control

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The Lagos State Government has said that the current terrible state of the traffic situation in the state was temporary and Lagosians would soon get some relief.

In a statement signed by the Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy on Wednesday, the Lagos government said it had noted the discomfort of Lagos commuters and motorists.

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Omotosho said that the government didn’t set out to inflict any pain on Lagosians with its road repair efforts and that it had called on the contractors to speed up work on the road.

He said, “The Lagos State Government has noted the discomfort commuters and motorists have been experiencing since the beginning of the massive road repairs under ‘Operation 116’ across the State.

“There is no deliberate action to cause Lagosians any pain; the present situation is temporary. The contractors are speeding up their jobs and they are being encouraged to work at night where possible, even as motorists are being advised to use alternative routes.

“The administration sympathises with residents on the inconvenience suffered daily but in fulfilment of its commitment to making the roads motorable immediately the rains subside, resources and equipment have been deployed to fix degenerated roads. The discomfort will be short-lived.”

Omotosho also revealed that relevant agencies have been directed to review traffic control and regulatory policies in a bid to find long term solution to the traffic situation.

The commissioner also blamed the “daily influx of people” from other parts of the country into the state for the traffic situation. He, however, promised that work on the road would be completed before the Yuletide.

In a related development, the State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has declared State of emergency on traffic management and control in the State.

Odumosu also ordered deployment of 1,000 policemen to reduce travel time and prevent traffic robbery across the state.

The deployment came barely 24 hours after the State Government urged that the gridlock experienced on Lagos roads was temporary and would in few weeks subside after yuletide season.

Odumosu, who resumed to office barely two days as Commissioner of Police, took the decision during an emergency meeting held on Thursday at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja to review the current traffic situation in the State.

The CP also reviewed the time for duty report for Traffic Officers to take care of the peak hours. Traffic duties Officers will run shifts between 10am and 10pm while the second shift will be 10pm to 10am, providing 24hours coverage. They will all operate in their usual reflective jackets.

Odumosu said: “The measure will help in ensuring free flow of traffic and will also curb the menace of traffic robbery. The Commissioner of Police calls on Lagosians to accord the Police Officers on traffic duties maximum cooperation in the discharge of their statutory duties. All road users are enjoined to obey traffic laws”.

 

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