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.
SIGNEDHABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
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