Tag: Lagos Govt

The Lagos State Government has announced a planned eight-hour road closure and traffic diversion for the motoring public along some identified routes for the Lagos City Marathon, slated for Saturday, February 15, 2025.

State Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi announced this on Tuesday, ahead of the marathon, which will take place between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

These roads will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic during the event while travelers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and consider alternative route.

According to Osiyemi, “The marathon will commence at the National Stadium, Surulere, proceeding through Ikorodu Road towards Anthony (Bertola), then moving through Gbagada to access the Third Mainland Bridge, heading inbound Lagos Island.

“From there, it will continue through Dolphin Road, leading to Alfred Rewane Road and onward to Falomo Roundabout. The race will continue through Bourdillon Road, crossing the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge to connect Admiralty Way.

“From Admiralty Way, the route extends to Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, continues through Akin Adesola, and concludes at Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic.

“To this end, all adjoining Roads, Junctions and Intersections from National Stadium (Starting Point) to Ahmadu Bello Way (Eko Atlantic, End Point of the race) will be blocked with Concrete Barriers, manned by LASTMA, NPF, FRSC, LSNC, LAWMA to prevent other road users access to the main race corridor.”

Travel advisory

In light of this, the following alternative routes have been mapped out for motorists to ensure seamless commuting during the marathon:

Mainland to Island

Motorists from Ikeja and its environs heading to Victoria Island should ply Ikorodu Road/Funsho Williams Avenue to connect Eko Bridge, then proceed via Outer Marina to their destinations.

Motorists from Badagry, Mile 2, and surrounding areas en route to Victoria Island should pass through Apapa via Orile, then link Eko Bridge and continue through Outer Marina.

Motorists from Surulere and its environs should access the island via Iponri/Iganmu, linking Eko Bridge to reach Outer Marina.

Motorists from Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Mowe and nearby areas) should take the Ojota Slip Road, connect Ikorodu Road, and continue through Funsho Williams Avenue to Eko Bridge.

Motorists from Okota should ply Mile 2/Orile, connecting to Eko Bridge and Outer Marina.

Motorists from Sango-Otta should pass through Mushin, link Funsho Williams Avenue (Western Avenue), and proceed to Eko Bridge via Outer Marina.

Motorists from Epe-Lekki Expressway (Epe, Ajah, Lekki, and environs) should take Marwa Junction, connect Admiralty Way, and cross the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge to their destinations.

Island to the Mainland during the marathon

Motorists from Lagos Island to the Mainland will be diverted to Apongbon Bridge, then Eko Bridge, accessing Costain Roundabout, Iponri, and Bode Thomas. Alternatively, they can take Eko Bridge through Costain Roundabout, linking Apapa Road to Oyingbo/Jebba and then Herbert Macaulay Road.

Motorists can also drive through Victoria Island to link Independence Bridge and CMS Bridge, then proceed via Apongbon to Ijora-Olopa, Iddo, and Oyingbo, connecting Herbert Macaulay Road.

“The Third Mainland Bridge will remain closed to traffic heading towards Lagos Island but will be accessible to motorists traveling to the Mainland,” Osiyemi explained.

However, he reassured residents that traffic management officials would be deployed to minimize disruptions and urged the public to plan their trips accordingly by using alternative routes and other modes of transportation.

Osiyemi also urged motorists “to be patient as the partial/total closure is part of the traffic management plans for the 10th Edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Race 2025 and will end at Eko Atlantic.

“To this end, the aforementioned roads will be temporarily closed off to vehicular traffic during the marathon.”

Ahead of the proposed state ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), the Lagos State Government and the executives of the Food and Beverages Recyclers Alliance (FBRA) have agreed to enforce and implement the policy when it is officially in force.

Recall that the state government banned the use and circulation of styrofoam and related products in January 2024, and the compliance level was impressive, according to the state government.

This is coming as the state government sets up an implementation committee to ensure effective and efficient enforcement of the ban on SUPs, which is set to commence soon. The enforcement was initially set for January 2025, but after review, it was shifted to a yet-to-be-announced date.

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the remarks while briefing newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the union executives and stakeholders held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking with journalists, Wahab, reiterated the government’s commitment to the SUP ban, describing it as strategic and intentional.

According to him, the discussions also covered extended producer responsibilities and FBRA’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with the government.

“We commended them for their efforts, and we agreed on some other things to solidify the relationship,” Wahab said.

He stated that stakeholders’ engagement would be a monthly affair, accompanied by massive advocacy and public sensitization before full enforcement.

“We are now in February, and we are involving critical stakeholders. What we have agreed is to continue with serious engagement and advocacy with the association before the commencement of full enforcement.

“We all understand that enforcing this ban will affect FBRA members one way or the other — as business owners, manufacturers, and suppliers.

So, part of this gathering was about the enforcement, and I believe before the end of this month, there will be another engagement to finalise the modalities for full enforcement,” he said.

Wahab noted that SUPs are more complex than styrofoam, and the government is committed to implementing the ban correctly and sustainably.

However, he expressed satisfaction that FBRA members fully support the ban, recognizing its necessity.

“So, that means there is unity of purpose in implementing the ban. Both sides will continue discussions beyond enforcement — considering extended producer responsibilities, funding mechanisms, and operational frameworks.

Wahab clarified that the government is not banning sachet water but only single-use plastics of less than 40 microns.

“We want to assure all Lagosians that the government is not banning pure water. We shall buy the sachets back and are working on the buyback process. I’m also glad that several interventions for recycling and reusing pure water sachets are in progress.

“By next week, we plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LAFARGE for a specific reuse initiative from their factory. These are the measures we are putting in place,” he said.

Wahab reiterated that the SUP ban would take effect later this year, with FBRA’s collaboration ensuring seamless implementation, hence, the advocacy, sensitization and enlightenment period.

He also acknowledged that major supermarkets and retail outlets have already adopted measures, such as selling plastic bags, to discourage indiscriminate disposal.

“I want to plead with Lagosians to support the government in the ban on styrofoam and, as we move to the next phase — the ban on single-use plastics.

“Lagosians should see this as a necessary step to address a pressing issue and support the government’s implementation.

“We will also be considerate in enforcement, ensuring we clean the system of plastic waste, promote reuse and recycling, and preserve our landfills from unnecessary waste,” Wahab added.

The commissioner added that a special implementation Committee, comprising government officials, associations, and stakeholders, will be launched soon to ensure the policy’s effective and efficient implementation and total compliance.

Speaking earlier, FBRA Chairman Ziad Maclouf welcomed the SUP ban, describing it as long overdue.

He stressed that the association fully supports and is ready to introduce new systems that provide economically and environmentally friendly alternatives.

“The association fully supports the state government’s initiative and encourages customers to transition to thicker plastic bags.

“We are also exploring ways to educate consumers on waste separation and how they can generate income from it,” Maclouf stated.