Daily Independent (Lagos)
Stella Odueme and Rafiu Ajakaye
22 November 2008
Lagos — Eko Bridge would be shut between Friday night and Monday morning, during which the cracks on it would be repaired and vehicles banned from plying it, Lagos State Government announced on Friday, months after the Third Mainland Bridge underwent similar reconstruction.
"Due to urgent need for repair work on some damaged joints on sections of the Eko Bridge just after Costain exit, the Costain to Alaka section of the bridge will not be available for motorists from 9 p.m. on Friday November 21 through 5 a.m. Monday November 23," Idowu Ajanaku, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Public Communications, said in a text message on Friday.
That came as Alausa issued conditions for the reopening of the Computer Village, arguably Nigeria's biggest market in computers and telecommunications accessories, shut on Thursday for alleged evasion of personal income tax by traders in the market.
The conditions, outcome of a meeting between the state government officials and the market officials, included that the operators pay their personal income tax, street traders relocate to KEE-clamps provided by Ikeja Local Government Area and monthly waste management service charge arrears to be paid with an undertaking for subsequent prompt payment to the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
Others are evidence of change of use from residential to commercial use to be presented for scrutiny in respect of all the properties in the Computer Village and removal of all illegal structures/extensions in the market.
It was agreed that each shop owner should pay N5,100 now and pay the balance of N24,900 between this month and January 25, 2009.
Already, the payment has been put at a flat rate of N30, 000 for shop owners while shop assistants and office assistants are to pay N2, 500 each, and they have been asked to make payments at designated banks.
But those in the office and shop assistants' category are complaining about the grounds on which they are being charged since most of them are mere apprentice and, as such, do not generate any income. Besides, the total amount is N2,600 since they have to pay N100 bank charge, according to the concerned marketers.
When Saturday Independent visited the market on Friday, it was still shut with heavy security presence.
It also was observed that most of the kiosks and shanties in the market were being cleared and evacuated, while many of the operators gathered in groups discussing their fate.
An official of the Lagos Board of Internal Revenue, who pleaded anonymity said that though the operators are responding positively by making payments, it is not impressive enough to command immediate reopening.
He added that a review meeting between government and the market executive had been scheduled for Friday evening.
It would be recalled that officials of the Lagos Board of Internal Revenue, accompanied by mobile policemen, had stormed the market on Thursday and carried out the seal off exercise.
During the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge recently, motorists and commuters experienced major traffic difficulties as the Federal Government shut a part of the bridge to allow for unimpeded repair work.
The closure of the 11.8- kilometre bridge had lasted till September 6.
During the period, traffic from the Oworonshoki end of the bridge was diverted at the Adekunle Junction to the out-bound lanes, which was closed between 5 a.m. and 12 noon daily.
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