The Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, who disclosed this Tuesday at Ikeja, stated that in the project brief made available to the State Government, the repair works will narrow both Lagos and Sagamu bound traffic into two lanes on both carriageways respectively and is planned for two months each for inward and outward traffic from the State.

He emphasised that Lagos is well prepared and ready for the attendant traffic situation through extensive traffic management and control for the repair works which commences on Saturday, 3rd August 2019 and is envisaged to trigger and compound traffic along the corridors.

Salaam affirmed that the State has identified four locations to redirect traffic through, while the personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) as well as Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will be on ground to provide towing vehicles and other necessary support for evacuating unexpected breakdowns.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the area undergoing repairs will have floodlights and flashing lights placed in strategic places to aid vehicular movement at night, adding that having the whole area lit at night, apart from safety purposes, is also to ensure that Julius Berger completes the repair work within the stipulated period.

He also highlighted other measures already planned by the State government to include the display of advance warning signs; day and night emergency response crew; dummy flagman to direct motorists and slip road provided on both sides of the carriageway.

Salaam added that the diversion of traffic is also earmarked before the first bridge and that motorists coming from Kara will be diverted to the other side (outward Lagos) where an extra lane will be created; once work is done on that section, the same process will be replicated on the other side by creating an extra lane for vehicular movement.

While assuring motorists of the readiness of the Lagos State government to effectively manage the traffic situation during the period, the Permanent Secretary solicited for the understanding and cooperation of all road users and urged everyone to obey all traffic officials and signs for the entire duration of the reconstruction.

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Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the LASTMA official, named Adeyemo Rotimi, was shot dead at Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos.

NAN gathered that the LASTMA official was shot dead when he challenged the policeman, identified as Joseph Oki, for disobeying traffic rules.

NAN learnt that the victim, popularly known as ‘Baba Ibeji’, had stopped the police inspector who was driving a cream coloured Highlander jeep with registration number plate LSR 277 BJ to allow free flow of traffic.

It was gathered that the LASTMA official reportedly scolded the policeman for flouting traffic rules.

According to sources, the policeman, who felt insulted by Adeyemo’s warning, allegedly pulled a pistol and shot the LASTMA official in the eye, killing him on the spot.

NAN learnt that the policeman attempted to flee the scene but was stopped by the mob.

It was gathered that some policemen in the area reportedly rescued the FSARS officer from the angry crowd who also damaged his vehicle.

Contacted, Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Chike Oti, did not deny the incident.

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Tagged ‘Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads,’ the exercise will be carried out from early hours of Friday to Monday by 1000 policemen, 500 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), 100 officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), 120 officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and 250 personnel of the Nigerian Military including Army, Air Force and the Navy.

Apart from providing the equipment to be used for the operation, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) will also deploy 20 officials, while the relevant unions within the maritime sector such as Amalgamation of Container Truck Owners Association, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Association of Transport Operators (NATO), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), among others will provide hundreds of their members to serve as Task Force to work with security agencies.

Addressing a press briefing after an emergency meeting on the chaos in Apapa axis as a result of the gridlock, the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal said the decision to set up the operation became imperative owing to the need to restore sanity and prevent complete breakdown of law and order.

He said though the issues which gave rise to the sorry state of affairs on the federal roads and bridges linking the ports ranges from ports operational problems, activities of tank farms and shipping lines who don’t have holding bays in clear contravention to the law, and diversion as a result of ongoing construction, among others, the State Government nonetheless would not fold it arms and allow the sufferings of the people to continue, a development he said necessitated the operation.

He said it was gratifying that all stakeholders unanimously agreed that the operation should commence with immediate effect, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other relevant agencies work to fashion out permanent solution to the issues within the Ports which gave rise to the gridlock.

According to the CP, “Everybody is aware of the madness going on along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway that has been completely blocked by trailers and tankers. The same problem we have on our bridges in Western Avenue, Iganmu and Apapa axis.

“However, it would be irresponsible of us to continue to watch and allow Lagosians go through these period of untold hardship without coming up with strong palliative and security measures and strong joint effort to at least ease the traffic problem and allow for free flow of traffic, while agencies that are responsible for these problems sit together like I hear they are doing currently and fashion out permanent solutions to the problems.

“We have held series of meetings between yesterday and today and we have come up immediately with a resolve to immediately start ‘Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads’. This operation which kicks off by early hours of Friday is intended to move trucks and containers from our roads, highways and bridges to designated locations.

“Thereafter, inventory will be made. The shipping companies themselves will be called to send their representatives to take inventory of these containers and at least have records that the containers have been taken to the designated locations so that they can continue their activities from there,” Edgal said.

He commended motorists and Lagos residents especially those staying in the Apapa axis for their patience and understanding so far, just as he assured that concerted efforts would be made to free the road between Friday and Monday, while another level of engagement would commence with the NPA, tank farm owners, shipping companies, Shippers Council and other stakeholders to forestall a repeat of the gridlock.

He also urged Maritime Union Workers, in the interest of the nation, to shelve their planned strike action and other moves they have so far embarked on which led to the gridlock, while also appealing to Lagos residents to bear with government especially in the event of diversions to ensure removal of the parked trucks and containers.

Also speaking, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olawale Musa assured residents that normalcy and order would soon be restored, saying that the men of the agency had fully been mobilized.

“Just to tell Lagosians that as a government, we are very responsive and for a situation that is beyond our control and not our doing, we are nonetheless making all efforts to ease the problems of Lagosians.

“We are on ground and we are going to ensure that sanity is restored on our roads. If the people are suffering, we are also suffering because for me to get to Apapa is a big problem to access the road but with all stakeholders coming together to solve these problems, we assure Lagosians that very soon we are going to restore order,” Musa said.

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Emergency management workers were said to have been mobilised to the scene to rescue commuters trapped in the accident, just as some motorists, who made a U-turn and attempted to flee the scene of the incident, crashed into other vehicles.

Lives were reportedly lost in the secondary accident that resulted from the confusion caused by the fallen tanker.

Nkechi Obiageli, an eyewitness said the accident occurred around 5pm, stating that she was in a commercial bus heading towards the Mowe area of Ogun State.

“There was traffic and when it cleared a little, the bus driver manoeuvred his way to the front. We were about a few vehicles away from the tanker, when we heard the sound of an explosion.

“The fuel from the tanker spilled on the expressway and all the vehicles at its back went up in flames. People ran for dear life. There was confusion everywhere.”

Another account by a bus driver, Sunday Esene, whose vehicle was burnt in the accident, said “I had just dropped off my passengers at Berger bus stop and turned to buy fuel. I was on my way back when I saw the tanker. All of a sudden, it tumbled and hit the median. As soon as I realised that fuel was spilling out of the tanker, I abandoned my bus and jumped to the other side of the road. A few seconds later, the tanker exploded. I am sure over 50 vehicles got burnt with many lives lost.”

The rescue effort, which was coordinated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, also involved officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Ambulance Service, State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, Rapid Response Squad, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the police, among others.

The General Manager, LASEMA, Adeshina Tiamiyu, confirmed that firefighters had put out the fire, adding that some motorists were killed while attempting to run away from the scene of the fire.

“The accident happened around 5.25pm and involved a tanker loaded with petrol. The tanker fell and spilled its content, causing fire which burnt 54 vehicles. The vehicles, which were of different models, were trapped behind the truck.

“Some motorists, who turned to run away, crashed into other vehicles. Some jumped out and others fell into the gutter in the course of running away. We found dead bodies on the ground and in the gutter. Some of the people who died in the gutter had probably been caught by the fire and jumped into the gutter to put it out.

“Nine dead bodies have been recovered and four were injured. Two were seriously injured, while two sustained minor injuries. The injured have been taken to a hospital, while the bodies have been taken by SEHMU to the mainland hospital mortuary. We are currently making efforts to remove the burnt vehicles from the road.”

The acting Director of the state fire service, Rasak Musbau, said four fire stations responded to the inferno.

The Lagos State Sector Commander, FRSC, Hygenus Omege, confirmed that 54 vehicles were burnt in the inferno. “It is obvious that the driver lost control of the tanker. We heard the tanker suffered brake failure. We have counted 54 burnt vehicles. Four people, who were rescued, are in the emergency unit and about nine bodies have been recovered.”

Omege said one tanker, five buses, two trucks, one tricycle and 45 cars were burnt in the inferno.

The commander of the RRS, Olatunji Disu, said about 500 policemen had been deployed in the area by the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi.

Disu said the police had a tough time controlling a crowd of stranded commuters who were trapped in the traffic that had extended to the Third Mainland Bridge.

He said, “This is a major expressway leading out of Lagos. At the moment, the CP has mobilised 500 policemen in the area to assist with crowd control. The traffic has extended to the Third Mainland Bridge and people have started trekking down. They want to go home. We are still expecting more crowd and we are making announcements for people to pass other routes and leave this place for us to finish the emergency duty.”

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A statement issued on Wednesday by the Authority stated that the event will kick-off at 6 a.m from the National Stadium, Surulere and terminate at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, thus necessitating traffic diversion.

The release advised motorists and commercial vehicles to use alternative routes as listed below:

· From Eko Bridge, motorists shall be diverted through Costain to connect Ebute-Metta, Orile, Nigerian Breweries and Bode Thomas through Apapa Road (now Moshood Abiola Way).

· From Alaka Estate, motorists shall be diverted through Iponri or Iponri Estate.

· Motorists from Masha inward journey to Stadium shall be diverted to Shitta Roundabout for onward movement through Falolu and Adeniran Ogunsanya Roads to their various destinations.

· Motorists from Apapa/Orile-Iganmu to Funsho Williams shall be diverted through Apapa Road to continue their journey.

· On Ikorodu Road, traffic from Ojota inwards Fadeyi, Funsho Williams is allowed; there will be a restriction for motorists who want to link Gbagada through Town Planning Way, Ilupeju to Third Mainland Bridge (Marathon Route).

· From Apapa – Oshodi Expressway (i.e from Mile 2) motorists shall be diverted through BOC Gases/Armed Forces Resettlement Center on the service lane through Agege Motor Road. Traffic will also be diverted through Town Planning Way before Anthony – Oke. (Note that Gbagada inward 3rd Mainland Bridge will be closed to traffic from Anthony – Oke).

· From Old Toll Gate to Alapere, Ogudu, motorists shall be diverted through Gbagada, Oworonshoki-Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and navigate their journey to destinations.

· From Ajah to Ozumba Mbadiwe Road through Lekki, traffic shall be diverted through Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase I.

· Motorists shall be diverted through Alexandra Road from Cable Bridge while Bourdillion Road will be temporarily closed to traffic.

· From Awolowo Road, motorists shall be diverted through Falomo Bridge to connect Ozumba Mbadiwe Road while Falomo Roundabout inwards Bourdillion will be temporarily closed and Akin Adesola Street inwards Bar Beach will also be temporarily closed to traffic.

· From Bonny Camp to Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, traffic shall be diverted through Old Mr. Biggs Junction to Kofo Abayomi Street.

The release stated that all adjoining streets and feeder roads to the dedicated routes of the race would be temporarily closed to ensure the safety and security of participants.

It also implored Lagosians plying the affected routes to exercise patience and obey Traffic Management officials deployed to the identified routes for a successful exercise.

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The State Government had, on January 4, commenced the enforcement of partial closure of some roads in Agege to facilitate the construction of the 1.4km flyover which was conceived and designed by the present administration in the State to end the perennial traffic situation hitherto associated with the axis.

Speaking at the Agege Zonal Office of the agency, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olawale Musa assured residents and motorists that the State Government was determined to ensure free flow of traffic throughout the construction of the bridge, and that adequate measures had been firmed up to facilitate seamless connectivity within Agege and its environs.

Musa, who spoke after meeting with the senior traffic officials and inspection of materials deployed to the axis, said the Agege-Pen Cinema axis was a crucial centre point to human and vehicular movement to all the adjourning communities and an alternative route to exit Lagos State to neighboring states.

He said due to the strategic importance of the corridor, the agency was not oblivious of the impact the temporary closure of the adjoining roads would have on movement and socio-economic activities in the area, a development he said necessitated the setting up of the 24-hours Special Intervention and Rapid Response Unit.

He said: “As part of measures to mitigate the effect of the closure of the roads, reduce travel time, eliminate traffic-induced stress and insecurity in the area, we have also beefed up the number of traffic officers, materials and operational vehicles deployed to Agege area.

“All the alternative routes and diversions opened during the construction period will be manned by LASTMA’s traffic officials all days of the week and this will ensure seamless traffic and assist motorists and commuters get to their destinations on time.”

The General Manager said that the Agency was not unmindful of the spill-over effect which the construction of the bridge and closure of roads at Pen Cinema would have on other alternative roads in the axis, especially on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Abule-Egba, Iju-Fagba and Iyana-Ipaja, Agidingbi, Ogba among others.

“The creation of the 24 hours Special Intervention and Rapid Response Unit by LASTMA is as a result of the need to address the spill-over effect of the road closure and thereby assist in managing traffic across all the affected zones in the affected areas.

“In addition, the Rescue and Response Department of LASTMA has been re-organised and re-invigorated to response timely to issues of accident, abandoned and accident vehicles on the highways in the State with special focus and attention on all areas where construction works are on-going and bridges across the State,” Musa said.

Besides, Musa appealed to motorists and commuters plying the Agege-Pen Cinema axis to exercise patience, plan their journey ahead, obey road signs and cooperate with traffic officials to achieve free flow of traffic.

He further urged motorists and members of the public to always take advantage of LASTMA’s open-door policy by suggesting to the agency alternative measures and strategies capable of eliminating traffic gridlock at Agege and other parts of the State in general.

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The State Government in a press conference jointly addressed by officials of the State as well as members of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, regretted that the incessant traffic bottleneck had impacted negatively on the commercial activities of the citizenry, adding that the directive would be enforced to eliminate the current hardship being faced by motorists.

Addressing the briefing, the State’s Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi said investigations revealed that the traffic lockdown was a direct result of the challenges being faced by operators of the ports’ which had made it impossible for them to load the articulated vehicles/trailers that has come from the hinterland to evacuate imported items from the ports.

He said the gridlock was worsened by the current rehabilitation of some major roads and other minor roads which necessitated the closure of some roads in Apapa, noting that the situation had led to the traffic bottleneck and backflow of the articulated vehicles to as far as Ojuelegba on the Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere.

Explaining the reason for the State’s directive, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the Apapa gridlock had also become a reoccurring problem due to constant breakdown of operations at the Ports.

“Clearly, it is the breakdown of operations at the Port that is the monster causing this reoccurring issue. We keep having this issue of gridlock in Apapa because issues that the Ports Authorities and the concessionaires are dealing with are recurrent and the spillover effect of those issues are causing all these.

“If the Ports can’t determine how many trucks they are able to deal with on a daily basis; how they are informed about coming in and going out, then it will be a problem to deal with.

“What we need to do is to keep on engaging with them, we keep on engaging with other states and so on. I mean people who have trucks in other states and already know that there is a logjam in Lagos, why send other trucks to Lagos?

“While clearing the mess that the Lagos State Government did not cause, can people not consider it logical to wait for few days for us to clear this and this is the reason why we are saying that trucks should stay away from Lagos in the interim.

“The idea is not to say don’t come into Lagos. It is part of what makes the economy of Lagos what it is but we are saying let us deal with the logjam that we have presently and there is no way we can deal with it, we can only deal with the effect because the causes essentially have to do with the operations at the Ports and that is why we are appealing to them,” Ayorinde said.

Ayorinde also said that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had been unable to load product from its Mosimi Depot in Ogun State due to vandalisation, noting that tankers hoping to get fuel across to the South West States are stranded in Lagos.

In the interim, the Government, however, urged the operators to utilise the Ogere Trailer Park and other parks outside the State to avoid further hardship for motorists on the road, assuring that all measures would be deployed to ensure quick resolution of the situation.

On his part, General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA0, Adesina Tiamiyu, said the State Government has already instructed the Agency alongside Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Nigeria Police and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to enforce the order restricting trucks from entering Lagos for now, noting that the enforcement will subsist pending when the spillover of traffic is cleared.

He urged residents not to hesitate to immediately alert State authorities through the 112 and 767 toll free lines in the eventuality of any danger lurking.

Also speaking President of AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi said the present situation was worrisome as it is a time bomb waiting to explode if unchecked.

He urged the Federal Government to take a cue from the Lagos State Government and collaborate to resolve the crisis as soon as possible.

While pledging the readiness of members of his association to support efforts geared to restore sanity, Ogungbemi also called for a regulatory system in place to manage call-up of trucks through technology.

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The States include Delta Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara and Rivers.

While Yekeen Babatunde Bello heads the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA), Femi Falade is in charge of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA). Both men were seconded from LASTMA.

In Delta, Ogun, Ekiti and Rivers States, LASTMA officials carried out intensive training for traffic officers in a bid to acclimatize them to international best practices so as to make them more efficient and service driven.

The State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode also at the weekend approved the release of Dennis Oloriegbe of LASTMA to Edo State to resume as the new Managing Director of the State’s Traffic Management Agency.

Oloriegbe’s release was sequel to the request of the Edo State Government for him to come and reengineer, package and position the Edo State traffic outfit in accordance with the best global practices and also replicate the success story of LASTMA under the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in Edo State.

In addition, Governor Ambode has also approved the training of officers of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency by LASTMA officials.

Before his appointment, Oloriegbe was the Chief instructor and head of the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), Ikeja centre. He joined the service of LASTMA in the year 2000 and served in various capacities meritoriously to become a Zonal head, where he supervised and managed activities of over one hundred traffic officials successfully.

Because of his dedication to duty, astute knowledge, skills and penchant for finding human and mechanical solutions to chronic traffic problems, Oloriegbe was seconded to the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute as one of the foundation staff and pioneer instructor. He later became the head of Ikeja Training Institute.

The Edo State-bound Oloriegbe is a consummate reader, excellent communicator and writer of many books on traffic control and management, and safe driving. During his tenure in the service of LASTMA, he demonstrated management acumen in handling of human and material resources under him.

The new Managing Director is a versatile trainer who was trained in the United State of America and Europe by the Lagos State Government in simulation driving and testing, and modern approach to traffic management and control in complex and emerging cities.

Responding to the development, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olawale Musa expressed his appreciation on behalf of the agency to Oloriegbe, and wished him the best in his new assignment and other future endeavours.

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This was the decision taking at the plenary session of the Assembly on Tuesday.

The relevant government agencies covered by this directive are: the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), the Lagos State Task Force on Environment and other related offences and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

Members of the House lamented the harrowing experience being faced by road users on the aforementioned road as a result of traffic gridlock caused by indiscriminate dropping and picking of passengers by commercial bus drivers; activities of street traders, hawkers and okada riders who have developed penchant for riding against traffic in the area.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa gave the directive after intense debate on the unwholesome attitude of the traders, commercial bus drivers and okada riders.

In his contribution, Hon. Rasheed Makinde, representing Ifako-Ijaye Constituency 2 admitted that the Okokomaiko area needs desperate measures in curbing excesses of the road traders, commercial bus drivers and okada riders.

The lawmaker urged relevant agencies, particularly LASTMA to ensure free flow of traffic in the area.

Honourable Abdus Sobur Olawale, representing Mushin State Constituency 2, stated that the long hours spend in traffic has also given room for increase in crime in the area as motorists are usually rob at gun point during traffic gridlock.

Other lawmakers who spoke agreed that there is need for urgent measure to eradicate traffic gridlock in the area.

Rt. Hon. Obasa in his final submission directed the relevant agencies to act immediately and ensure that sanity is brought to the affected area.

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The Lagos Marathon is expected to be declared open by the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, while the President of International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), Lord Sebastian Coe with his other counterparts from over six countries are expected to grace the event.

In a joint press briefing by the Ministry of Information and Strategy and the State Sports Commission at the Alausa Secretariat, the government assured that everything needed to ensure a successful tournament has been put in place.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde said out of the over 100, 000 forms made available, 12, 000 athletes have already confirmed participation, adding that 60 international participants in the male category have been confirmed, while a total of 20, 000 participants are expected to register.

He said out of the 20 gold class marathoners in the world, 18 have already confirmed their participation in the male category, while six gold marathoners in the female category have also confirmed participation.

He said the international participants are joining from countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Eritrea, Morocco, Cameroun, Uganda and India, while about 120 professional athletes in Nigeria will slug it out with their foreign counterparts in the tournament.

The Commissioner disclosed that the starting point of the marathon would be at the National Stadium in Surulere by 7am, and would move through Western Avenue, Ojuelegba bridge, Jibowu bridge, Ikorodu Road, underneath Anthony bridge, underneath Maryland bridge, Ojota, Alapere, 3rd Mainland bridge, Osborn Avenue, Ikoyi bridge, Admiralty way, Lekki Concession Toll Gate, Ozumba Mbadiwe, 1004 Estate, Ahmadu Bello Way, Federal Palace Hotel, Silverbird Galleria, NTA, Bar Beach and then terminate at Eko Atlantic.

According to Ayorinde, the duration of the marathon is 42.195km, while the total prize money for sixty winners in the different categories of the tournament is N92 million.

He said the winner of the first prize will smile home with $50, 000, while the second prize winner will get $40, 000, while the third prize winner will get $30, 000.

In the Nigerian category, first prize winner will get N1 million; second prize, N750, 000 and N500, 000 for third prize.

Speaking on the specific roles of government agencies, Ayorinde said the Ministry of Health would provide medical services, and that there would be ambulances at strategic locations to take care of any emergencies.

He said his Ministry would coordinate the awareness of the State Government concerning the tournament, while the Ministries of The Environment and that of Transportation would monitor and ensure proper cleaning as well as the routes to be used by the participating athletes.

He said the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), together with other traffic management agencies would be in charge of the alternative routes already created for commuters who may like to go about their normal business activities.

He further disclosed that adequate security measures have equally been put in place, adding that there have been provision for permanent and static mobile deployment of 100 security personnel to cover each vulnerable points such as the pre-event venue and hotel accommodating the foreign athletes and guests for 10 days prior to the event.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports and Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu said the security personnel were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce, Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security, while five boats will also be deplored.

Tinubu added that in line with the commitment of Governor Ambode, there are plans for the event to held yearly, and that the ultimate goal is that it should be the biggest marathon event in Africa, and permanently be logged on the IAAF time table.

He added that there have equally been provisions for transponders to prevent cheating, which would also reduce the number of personnel needed for the tournament.

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