Lagos dismisses Ikeja bridge traffic restriction
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has debunked viral social media claims of new traffic restrictions around the Sheraton Link Bridge in Ikeja.
- The ministry stated that traffic rules in the area remain unchanged and urged the public to disregard the false information.
- It also denied allegations of task force officials harassing or extorting motorists in the vicinity.
A wave of misinformation regarding traffic changes in Ikeja, Lagos, was swiftly countered by the state's Ministry of Transportation. Viral messages circulating on social media platforms like WhatsApp and X had falsely claimed new traffic restrictions and aggressive enforcement measures around the Sheraton Link Bridge, leading to confusion among motorists.
FALSE TRAFFIC INFORMATION CONCERNING SHERATON LINK BRIDGE INWARD OPEBI – PLEASE DISREGARD.
The ministry, through an official statement on its X handle, unequivocally dismissed these claims as "false and misleading." It clarified that there have been no alterations to the existing traffic flow or diversion plans in the specified area. The statement emphasized that "Traffic rules in that area and its environs remain the same for now until advised otherwise by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation," urging the public to rely solely on official channels for accurate updates.
the information circulating about changes and restrictions around Sheraton Link Bridge inward Opebi Road is false and misleading.
Furthermore, the ministry addressed and refuted allegations that task force officials were 'preying' on motorists for extortion. This clarification aims to restore public confidence and prevent unnecessary panic or inconvenience. Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, signed the statement, reinforcing the importance of verifying information through official government sources and discouraging the spread of unverified news. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of combating fake news, particularly concerning public services like traffic management in a bustling metropolis like Lagos.
Traffic rules in that area and its environs remain the same for now until advised otherwise by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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