Petroleum tankers, trailers and other articulated trucks are to be barred from accessing Lagos on Friday and Saturday as President Muhammadu Buhari, who doubles as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 16 presidential election, visits Lagos State this weekend.
Vehicular movements would also be restricted from 18 major roads in Nigeria’s economic capital, especially within and around Surulere on Saturday, February 9. The roads include Funsho Williams Avenue, Lawanson/Itire Road/Tejuosho Road, Apapa-Costain Road, Abebe Village/Eric Moore, Eko Bridge/Apongbon, Marina and Ikorodu Road, Others are Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Old Toll Gate/Third Mainland Bridge/Obalende, International Airport Road, Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway, Agege Motor Road, Jibowu, Yaba-Muritala Mohammed Way Iddo/Otto, Herbert Macaulay Way-Adekunle and Ijora Olopa/Ijora.
Buhari and members of his presidential campaign team are expected in Lagos this Saturday to solicit votes from the residents in the bid to secure a second term in office.
Demola Seriki, chairman, transportation sub-committee of the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign visit to Lagos, who addressed the press on Wednesday, said the restriction order was to allow the president, his entourage and members of the ruling party unhindered movement via the affected routes to Teslim Balogun Stadium, venue of the presidential campaign rally.
According to Seriki, the APC in Lagos is mobilising over 100,000 people to the rally to receive Buhari. He added that about 1,000 buses would be deployed to convey party members to the venue.
Seriki appealed to motorists and the general public to avoid Surulere, especially around the stadium, and seek alternative routes for the hours the movement restriction will last, while also regretting the temporary inconvenience the visit might create.
Speaking also, Hygenius Omeje, Lagos sector commander of the FRSC said advised truck drivers seeking to enter Lagos on Friday and Saturday to take advantage of available spaces at Ogere, Ogun State and on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and park their vehicles, as there would be strict enforcement of the movement restriction order.
