Three Days before the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for repairs, as ordered by the Federal Government, commuters have lamented the hardship it would bring.
The Federal Government announced about two weeks ago that the bridge, the longest in West Africa, will be shut for repairs. There were reports that the bridge, last shut in August, 2018, for maintenance checks, had some worn-out expansion joints.
Frederick Oladeinde, state Commissioner for Transportation, while discussing alternative routes, said the government had put in place plans for free flow of traffic.
Oladeinde said that Iddo inwards Carter Bridge, Market Road inwards Herbert Macaulay Road and Herbert Macaulay Road by Abeokuta Street as well as Herbert Macaulay by Cemetery and Apapa Road inwards Oyingbo had been fixed.
He outlined how the diversions would work here.
Although the Lagos State Government has assured commuters that it will ensure the alternative routes are convenient for use, many have insisted the closure of the bridge will bring untold hardship on them.
David Ebosele, who works in Ikoyi, described the closure of the bridge as a fire brigade approach, saying it should have been done during the lockdown. He added that the alternative routes would not solve the problem, saying they were themselves inadequate before the bridge closure.
Elizabeth Agumbah, a marketer at the United Bank for Africa (UBA), told Newsbreak that the closure would mean hell for those who commute from the mainland to the island every day. She echoed Ebosele’s sentiment that the maintenance could have been done during the lockdown.
For Jacob Ama, an insurance agent, the maintenance works going on at Ojota and the recent opening of the Gbagada-Anthony expressway make the closure a bad decision.
Ogwuche Alphonsus, a brand promoter, said the closure would have been welcome if water transport was a reliable option. He said asides being unsafe, water transportation is also too expensive for the common man.
Evidence Igho, an office supervisor, said the government should have considered doing the maintenance while the lockdown lasted. She said coming at the time many have lost their jobs and others trying to reopen their businesses, the closure would have unpleasant effect on residents. She added that the effects on transport fare would be devastating.
“Let me tell you, I know people who spend like half of their salary on transport because of COVID-19 now over the social distancing thing in transportation. Now imagine this. It is going to be very crazy. When you are supposed to spend N1,000 in a day, the traffic diversion means we should be ready to spend N3,000 because bus operators will certainly take advantage.
“The masses are suffering, government officials are enjoying. That is it,” she said.
For Oscar Nnenji, who works in Ikoyi, the government has handed employers genuine reasons to lay off workers. He told Newsbreak that the closure would affect clock in time for many workers, making it easy for employers to sack them for late coming.
Michael John had similar sentiments with Nnenji. He, however, added that the alternative routes will not cushion the effect of the closure as trailers parked along the roads will make gridlock heavier than normal.
Emmanuela Anumenwe, a soft drink and nose mask seller at Iyana Oworo, lamented the impact the road closure would have on her business.
“I heard that the bridge will be closed. Where do I go to sell my things? This is where I get my daily food from. The coronavirus has already brought hunger and serious suffering to us.
“People will suffer. I don’t know how government will just wake up one day and say they want to close road, when there are no other straight road to where people go to work every day. The suffering will be worse than this COVID-19,” she lamented.
However, Suleiman Odunoye, a businessman, is of the opinion that the bridge closure is in the best interest of the people. He said the maintenance could not have been timelier, saying the opening of the economy is not total.
He urged commuters to endure the inconveniences saying it is just for six months.
“I’m sure the government knows this is the best time to maintain the bridge. Before Third Mainland Bridge, people get to the Island someway. It’s just for six months. It is for the long term benefit of everyone.
“If I need to go to the Island, like I have to today because of business, I may consider using the ferry if I don’t leave my house in time. I know the cost of transportation will be high, if it does not affect water transport, I may be taking the ferry until the bridge is reopened.
“This is the best time to maintain the road because the federal government is still easing the lockdown. It is not a total opening.”
“With what I have seen on social media, I think the Third Mainland Bridge needs repair. If it will take them six months to give us the best, why not?” he said.
OA/GN
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