The Lagos State Government has urged residents and motorists to plan their movement carefully on Saturday, December 13, as the Ajegunle City Youth Marathon will trigger partial road closures from 6:00am.
The marathon, organised by the Society for Information and Human Advancement, will affect several major and inner-city routes, including Maracana Stadium, Ojoku Street, Baale Road, Kirikiri Road, Wilmer Link Bridge, Okito Street, Kopariwo Street, Mba/Cardoso Street, Cemetery Street, Ojora Street, Baale Aiyetoro Street, Olowojeunjeje Street, Oduduwa Street, Layinka Street, Cemetery Road, Bakare Faro Street, Adejiyan Street, Ishaga Street, Onishapa Street, Itire Street, Ojo Road and the finishing point at Signal Barracks.
A statement from the Ministry of Transportation, signed by Bolanle Ogunlola, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, on Friday, said all junctions and intersections along the stretch from Maracana Stadium to Signal Barracks would be temporarily closed and managed by LASTMA officials, the Nigeria Police Force, FRSC and the Lagos Neighbourhood Corps, adding that these points would reopen intermittently to allow controlled vehicular passage as the race progresses.
According to the government, motorists have been directed to take note of alternative routes and that those travelling from Berger or the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway toward Olodi Apapa via Kirikiri were advised to divert into Industrial Road, link Idewu Street, continue through Oluwa Street and connect Tolu Road before rejoining Baale Road.
“Traffic from Suru-Alaba heading to Gaskiya Road or Iganmu Road will move through a contra-flow on Cemetery Road from the Technoil turning to the roundabout. Those heading to Ojo Road from Suru-Alaba should turn left before Signal Barracks into Charles Avenue, pass through Ligali Street and Evie Street, link Abeje Street and rejoin Ojo Road,” it said.
The government assured that the measures are designed to minimise disruptions, stressing that the temporary closures are essential for the safety of participants and the efficient coordination of the marathon.
“Motorists are encouraged to remain patient, cooperate with traffic officers and plan their trips ahead to avoid avoidable delays,” it said.