Press Releases

As Third Mainland Bridge Reopens Sunday, Fashola Thanks Lagosians For Patience

Sep 27, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has expressed the appreciation of his administration to Lagosians for the patience and good faith with which the people bore the pains of the last eight weeks that the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge lasted.

Governor Fashola who stated this in a special broadcast to the people of Lagos on the restoration of normal service on the bridge, added that the equanimity and calmness coupled with the tolerance and cooperation of the people ensured that the experience was not as traumatic as anticipated in some quarters.

He emphasized that the city of Lagos did not shut down but functioned organically during the closure contrary to what many skeptics had predicted about total chaos due to the resultant diversion of traffic for a sustained period on this major link between the Island and the Mainland.

Governor Fashola explained that the closure was actually a blessing in disguise as it showed that the state had in the past failed to maximize the potentials of many existing roads, adding, “we realized that we are well able to organize ourselves in a very effective manner if we put our minds to it”.

“Our experience in the last eight weeks provided a successful test for the BRT, which has convinced more and more people to believe in and use the system”, the Governor added.

Continuing, Governor Fashola said: “Our people showed, once again, that they are ready to make necessary sacrifices once the government enjoys their trust and confidence. We will never take this trust for granted”.

He said he is convinced that with the right direction and management, Lagos can function, indeed is functioning, as an efficient and predictable city-state.

The Lagos State helmsman added that it also revealed other routes and directions which can be developed to make traffic move better, promising that as the state builds more roads, it will ensure that they meet the purpose of seamless connectivity of traffic.

He also called on the Federal Government to make provision for an annual Special Infrastructure Grant for the maintenance of roads and bridges in Lagos.

According to him, the proposed fund will be domiciled in the Presidency, which shall approve its utilization by the state government to maintain public infrastructure for the benefit of the national economy.

Governor Fashola enjoined the people to build on what has been achieved during the partial closure by making careful planning part of lives at all levels.

He identified the strong positive relationship between the Federal and Lagos State government as a key factor in the successful management of the closure, promising to continue to work towards strengthening the partnership in the best interest of the people.

He also expressed profound gratitude to the very hard working and patriotic men and women of the Nigeria Police, LASTMA, FRSC, Lagos State Emergency Medical Services as well as the Federal Ministries of Works and Transportation who worked tirelessly to make traffic move during the partial closure.