The diversion will take place between 10:00 PM on Saturday, October 5th, and 5:00 AM on Sunday, October 6th, 2024, as part of the government’s traffic management strategy to prevent further incidents and loss of lives by enhancing road safety and controlling the movement of heavy-duty vehicles.

The announcement was contained in a statement shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation on Thursday.

“The Lagos State Government has announced a night traffic diversion for the installation of a truck barrier at Ojuelegba Flyover Bridge by Fire Station, between 10.00pm on Saturday 5th and 5.00am on Sunday 6th October, 2024,” the statement read in part.

It added, “The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi implored Motorists to be patient as the brief closure of the bridge is planned for night time as part of traffic management strategy to avert further accidents and loss of lives.”

The statement also outlined alternative routes for motorists to follow during the night-time traffic diversion, aimed at facilitating the installation of a truck barrier at the Ojuelegba Flyover Bridge with minimal disruption.

Motorists traveling from areas such as Eko Bridge, Costain, and Iponri and heading towards Ojuelegba are advised to use the designated Service Lane, starting from the National Stadium gate, to connect to Barracks and proceed to their intended destinations. This alternate route is expected to ease traffic flow and reduce congestion while the necessary construction work is carried out.

Furthermore, the statement noted that the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, also appealed to motorists for cooperation and patience throughout the brief closure of the flyover.

He reassured the public that the timing of the diversion has been strategically chosen to occur during the night, when traffic volume is significantly lower, to minimize the inconvenience to road users.

By scheduling the installation for late hours, the government aims to limit disruptions during peak daytime hours, ensuring that road users experience as little inconvenience as possible.

This approach is part of the broader traffic management strategy aimed at ensuring smoother flow and public safety while necessary infrastructural upgrades are completed.

According to the circular, workers on grade levels 01 to 14 are expected to work from home for two days a week, while those on grade levels 15 to 17 will work from home for one day a week. The policy takes effect from September 4 and is expected to last for three months.

Earlier, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had introduced the work-from-home policy in February, and has now extended it due to the ongoing fuel price hike. The government hopes that this measure will reduce the financial burden on workers and increase productivity.

The fuel prices have continued to rise steadily. By August 2023, it reached N626.70 and continued to fluctuate, surmounting N668.3 in January 2024 and N770.54 in July 2024. As of September 2024, it has increased again to a staggering N897 per litre, which greatly worsens the situation for many Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Experts have said said the commencement of fuel production by the Dangote refinery will strengthen the nation’s economy by eliminating constant shortages, which accounts for fuel scarcity, boost foreign reserves and check unfavourable foreign exchange differences in favour of Nigeria’s naira.

Petrol produced from the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote refinery is expected to hit filling stations in the next 48 hours as modalities with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)have been formalised.