Major sections of Lagos are experiencing traffic congestion as President Bola Tinubu arrives in the state today.

This is in spite of the traffic jam that has already developed on the way to Lagos Island and the surrounding areas as a result of the Third Mailand Bridge’s shutdown for maintenance.

Following the bridge’s shutdown for maintenance on Wednesday, commuters who decided not to use it suffered extended hours stuck in traffic on nearby routes.

The bridge will be closed until 12:00 on Thursday, February 29, 2024, as per a statement signed on Monday by Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State. The shutdown of the bridge began at noon on Wednesday, February 28.

According to the statement, “The Federal Ministry of Works wishes to inform the motoring public that in continuation of the ongoing rehabilitation works on the Third Mainland Bridge, both bounds of the carriageways of the bridge would be closed to traffic from 12-noon on Wednesday, 28th to 12-noon on Thursday, 29th February 2024; to allow the contractor execute a major aspect of the ongoing repair works on the bridge.

“Consequently, the bridge would not be opened to traffic during this critical 24-hour period. Thus, all road users are advised to use alternative routes during this period.”

In a post made by the Senior Special Assitant to the Governor of Lagos State on New Media, Mr. Jubril Gawat through his X handle he said the President will be visiting Lagos State on Thursday 29th February, 2024 to commision the Red line train.

Prior to the unveiling, Lagos State Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu inspected the Lagos Red Line on February 24.

Sanwo-Olu also examined rail corridors, tracks, and amenities for passengers’ comfort, including handrails, seats, cooling systems, and safety elements.

According to his post, “The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), will commission the Red Line train on Thursday, 29th February, 2024.  The train is the first phase of the project, which will run from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo (Ebute Metta) in the heart of Lagos. The train, when fully operational, will run 37 trips and convey about 500,000 passengers daily.”

In the meantime, President Tinubu will leave Lagos on Thursday for an official two-day visit to the State of Qatar.

The visit is being made upon Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s invitation, the Emir of Qatar will “further strengthen cooperation between the two nations in several areas, including security, cultural exchange, and economic development,” According to the statement of Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

“During the visit, President Tinubu will witness the signing of several agreements focused on boosting Nigeria’s real sector and creating value-additive investments across the fields of trade, education, culture, solid minerals, digital economy, agriculture, and gas, as well as fostering cooperation on counter-terrorism,” said Ngelale.