Kazeem Ugbodaga

*Commissioner for Transport advises workers to go early to their offices
*Road diversion may not begin until 10.am

Aerial view of Teslim Balogun Stadium and Funso Williams Avenue that will be affected by restriction orders. Photo Guinness Book of World Records

The Lagos State Government will Wednesday shutdown major roads in Surulere area of Lagos, because of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s National Convention at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, where a presidential candidate for the party will emerge.

According to the Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, roads such as Funsho Willaims/Western Avenue Road from Olumegbon to National Stadium; Funsho Williams/Western Avenue Road from Alaka to National Stadium; Alhaji Masha Road from Shitta Roundabout to Alaka and Shitta Flyover will be closed partially or traffic diverted from the roads.

Opeifa said due to the APC National Convention holding at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, vehicular movement around the venue would be affected and congestion expected, especially along, Funso Williams /Western Avenue, Surulere, Yaba, Alhaji Masha and Costain areas.

He said apart from the closure of the road mentioned, vehicles from Lagos Island to Surulere would be directed to exit at Costain to link Surulere via Eric Moore, while vehicles from Ikorodu Road, Mushin, Yaba and the Mainland to Surulere would be directed at Ojuelegba to link Surulere via Itire-Lawanson Road or at Iponri via Bode Thomas.

“Vehicles to Agege Motor Road, Mushin and Ikorodu Road from Surulere will be directed to Bode Thomas, Eric Moore, Akerele Road and Itire Lawanson Road to link Western Avenue and Agege Motor Road at Ojuelegba Round About,” he said.

Also, vehicles from Surulere, Alhaji Masha and Shitta area to Lagos Island and Apapa, according to Opeifa would be diverted to Bode Thomas and Eric Moore to link Eko Bridge.

As a result of the convention, Opeifa said parking would be available only at the National Stadium as pedestrian access to the convention venue would be restricted to only accredited APC members, observers and media personnel.

“Bus shuttles and taxis will be available from hotel and airport to the convention venue,” he said.

The road restrictions generated panic among the motorists in Lagos Tuesday but Opeifa came on Traffic Radio to allay the fears, saying that the diversions may not begin before 10 a.m when the convention would start.

Opeifa said government expected workers to have departed for their various offices then.