For any red blooded Nigerian, the mention of mega city undoubtedly denotes one state in the country, and that is Lagos.

The city of Lagos dating back to the 1960s has been a commercial hub, where Nigeria come to seek the sort of opportunities they may not find in their local community. While few cities in Nigeria share these characteristics, Lagos has been particularly evergreen on economic opportunities, and it often invites a number of issues that derails the very progress one may have migrated to seek.

These issues, if not handled properly, constitutes a nuisance to society and creates problems that rivals the very opportunity people had initially come to find. One of such issues is over population, and the Lagos State Government has outclassed itself in mismanaging this issue. Of course, over population becomes a noticeable problem when the sheer number of people cause a depletion in resources and damage to infrastructure.

For years and years now, this has been the tale of major roads in the city, with a number of roads with faulty portion contributing to the issues of gridlock. This appears to be what Lagosians are bracing up for, following the announcement of the Federal Government; that the Ibrahim Babaginda Bridge popularly known as Third Mainland Bridge, would be shut for maintenance from July 24th for 6 months. Both lanes are expected to be closed one after the other for 3 months each.

FG To Shut Third Mainland Bridge For Six Monthshttps://t.co/YwFrqWCCrq pic.twitter.com/cCHzSWokIo

— Channels Television (@channelstv) July 6, 2020

The Third Mainland Bridge is Nigeria’s longest bridge and one of three major bridges connecting the Mainland and Lagos Island. With hundreds, and maybe thousands of motorists commuting on the route daily, Twitter reactions are over the roof as many are yet to come to terms with the implications of the closing the bridge to traffic.

My own problem with the Third Mainland Bridge closure for repairs is that why was it not done during the lockdown?

— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) July 6, 2020

My dear governor @jidesanwoolu with Eko Bridge still closed, the New Costain bridge unfinished,the type of rainy season we haven’t seen in a while, this is not the time to close Third Mainland bridge. Surulere is going to be a total mess to get around! @followlasg @Gidi_Traffic

— Tope Adeyemi (@Aunty_TP) July 6, 2020

FG to close both lanes of Third Mainland Bridge for 6 months for maintainance purpose and it has to be in the raining season. Who dey help Nigerian Government think sef? pic.twitter.com/aHTARMPKl2

— Duke of Ibadan? in Canada ?? ?? (@Mc_Phils) July 6, 2020

What are the perks of doing it in the rainy season.

There must have been a cost benefit analysis, as well feasibility studies.

Nigeria is not as decayed as you try to make it look. We still have Professionals whose perspectives are informed.

— Ah'mad (@Ahhmard) July 6, 2020

– Eko Bridge still closed.
– New Costain bridge unfinished.
– Third Mainland bridge to be closed for 6 months.
– Flood everywhere.
– No bike, No keke.
– BRT and bus escalate fare, queue for hours.

This is actually a setup against those going towards Lagos Island.

— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) July 6, 2020

FG Will be closing both lines of third mainland bridge for 6months.
Ikorodu road under construction
Okada banned in express

How will I get to work, then home d same day, Normally I Dey reach house 11:30pm.
Abi I should Apply for witchcraft so I can start flying to work pic.twitter.com/ulpoqbcuau

— JÓNÅDO???? (@iamjonado) July 6, 2020

 

It also doesn’t help that Lagos as a mega city doesn’t have a concrete transportation network, one that allows for railways, boats, ferries or reliable state taxis. We hope that the larger issues are addressed by the government to ease situations in times like this.