The Lagos International Marathon, which was last held in 1983, is billed to be attended by over 20,000 athletes, including over 20 world class marathoners.
Speaking
during a press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa,
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Prince
Olanrewaju Elegushi disclosed that the Marathon will start from the
National Stadium and move to Anthony, and thereafter to Gbagada Road,
Third Mainland Bride through Alfred Rewane to Lekki Ikoyi Bridge and
terminate at Eko Atlantic City.
Elegushi, who explained that the Marathon will commence at 7am, said the restriction of traffic will however start from 6:30am and end at 1pm,
adding that adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure that
security operatives and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management
Authority (LASTMA) barricade access to the dual carriage way to be
affected by the event.
According
to him, all traffic flow and access from Alaka and Alhaji Masha to
National Stadium towards Ojuelegba and along Western Avenue terminating
at Anthony Bus stop would be blocked, while the whole stretch of the
Anthony Oke to Gbagada unto Third mainland Bride along with accesses at
New Garage, Adeniji Adele interchange; Sura/Simpson and Obalende would
equally be blocked.
He
added that all access from Dolphin Estate towards Osborne terminating
at Falomo Road About would be blocked for the event, while access to
Falomo Roundabout from Alfred Rewane (Kingsway Road), Awolowo Road and
traffic from Victoria Island would also be affected.
According
to Elegushi, other areas to be affected include all access/link roads
along Bourdillon up to Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge Roundabout and the Link
Bridge, while there would also be blockade of traffic on Admiralty Way
from the bridge outlet inward Lekki-Epe Expressway inward Ozumba Mbadiwe
to Akin Adesola, Bishop Oluwole and Bar Beach (Atlantic City).
He,
however, call on all Lagosians “to see the event not only as a sporting
event but for its tourism content. As a people who are naturally
friendly, we should put on display, our positive attitude to visitors,”
Elegushi counseled.
He
said governor would not hesitate to lift the restriction if and when it
is perceived as necessary to bring about free flow of traffic.
While
regretting any inconveniences that the residents might suffer as a
result of the restriction, Elegushi said the security operatives and
LASTMA officials have been stationed to ensure free flow of traffic in
all the other alternative routes which the people could make use of
during the event.
On
his part, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Christ Olakpe assured
residents of the preparedness of his men to ensure a hitch-free
tournament.
Olakpe,
a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, added that
instructions have been given to his men to be civil in dealing with
residents.
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
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