Gridlock: Sanwo-Olu advises residents on remote work arrangement

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged businesses across the state to adopt flexible work arrangements to help ease the severe traffic congestion in Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

The gridlock, attributed to the closure of the Independence Bridge in Bonny Camp, left many commuters stranded on their way home from work on Wednesday.

The closure was due to the ongoing repair work being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Works.

A cake maker on the Island, Oluwatosin Akanni, shared her ordeal with The PUNCH, saying, “I left the office at 9 in the evening but got home past 2 am today (Thursday). Everything was at a standstill. We can’t continue like this.”

In response to the situation via a statement on X.com on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu encouraged businesses to consider alternative work models.

“I also want to urge businesses and organisations across Lagos to explore flexible work arrangements, including remote work and hybrid models.

“A temporary shift in work culture can go a long way in reducing traffic pressure and supporting our collective well-being,” he stated.

He further emphasised the need for innovative solutions, stating, “Let us embrace innovative solutions that keep our city moving while we carry out critical infrastructure repairs. Together, we can build a more resilient, responsive, and liveable Lagos.”

Acknowledging that the decision to repair the closed bridge was long overdue, the governor apologised to residents for the “frustration, delays, and disruption” they experienced on Wednesday.

“The decision to fix the Independence Bridge was not made overnight. This repair has been in the works for over three years, carefully planned to avert a potential disaster.

“The structural integrity of the bridge had deteriorated, and delaying this intervention any further would have put lives at risk,” he explained.