The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Traffic

  • Tackling Lagos traffic gridlock

    SIR:  Like it is with most cosmopolitan cities across the world, it is, perhaps, not strange that Lagos experiences continuous queues of vehicles which block an entire network of intersecting streets, bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill. Popularly referred to in local parlance as ‘go slow’, traffic gridlock has become one of the sour identities of Lagos which succeeding governments in the State have been trying to do away with. In an attempt to tackle the traffic problem, the state government, in the last 16 years, has rehabilitated and reconstructed major roads such as LASU-Iba road, Lawanson-Itire road, Oregun road, Okota-Itire road, Nurudeen Olowopopo road, among others.

    This is particularly instructive since it is believed that the poor state of our roads is partly responsible for the daily chaos being experienced on most roads in the state. Also, many agencies such as LASTMA, LASDRI, LAMATA, etc were created mainly to deal with the traffic situation. The BRT initiative is also an integral part of the arrangement to ease traffic congestion in the State. Indeed, the Lagos Traffic Radio was mainly conceived as part of the Lagos State government’s plan to resolve traffic challenges in the State. The idea behind the Traffic Radio is to enable motorists and commuters have first hand information on transportation and traffic news, traffic alerts and diversions, while they drive or before leaving their homes.

    In as much as all these plans and actions of the state government essentially indicate genuine concerns to address the perennial traffic problem, it is, however, important to stress that they have not been sufficient enough to entirely redress the situation. One of the reasons for this is human factor. In Lagos State, it is not uncommon to see vehicles illegally parked on either side of the road. Some even drive in such careless fashions that make nonsense of traffic laws while others drive on or across the road median. Other human activities that complicate the traffic hassles in the state include driving against traffic, making illegal U turn, using reverse drive to cover long distance in order to beat traffic jam and disobeying traffic lights and other traffic instructions.

    Also, traffic congestion is often particularly noticeable in places where many commuters try to cross from one side of the road to the other. In a recent on the spot assessment of the traffic gridlock in the State, the State Governor, Akin Ambode and his team observed that the gridlock at places such as Iyana –Ipaja, Ojo, Ojodu-Berger, Abule Egba, etc is essentially a product of lack of foot bridges.  It is, hence, expected that with the provision of pedestrian bridges, the volume of traffic congestion in such axis would wane remarkably.

    As a way forward, the state government has approved the construction of pedestrian bridges across key locations in the state. It should, however, be emphasised that, ultimately, an integrated approach to public transportation, that entails the simultaneous use of road, rail and water, is key to effectively addressing traffic gridlock in the state. With over five million cars and 200,000 commercial vehicles on the roads, Lagos daily records an average of 327 vehicles per every kilometre of roads. This scenario makes it imperative for the government to vigorously pursue alternative mode of transportation such as rail and water for mass transits.

    By the time the Lagos light rail project becomes effective and expanded, coupled with renewed efforts to improve water transportation in addition to on-going plans to reduce traffic congestion, it is expected that Lagosians would begin to have a pleasant motoring   experience. But then, all of us must join hands together with the government to make this dream a reality. We must not damage the roads. We must comply with all traffic rules. LASTMA officials are our brothers. We must respect them. They have chosen to work in the sun and in the rain to guarantee our free movement. We must not ridicule them. LASTMA officials should in turn be civil in their dealings and conducts with members of the public.

     

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi

    Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa-Ikeja.

  • I once hawked in traffic, says Nigerian Idol 5 winner, K-Peace

    I once hawked in traffic, says Nigerian Idol 5 winner, K-Peace

    Winner of Nigerian Idol Season 5, Olakunle Ogunrombi, aka K-Peace has made some revelations about his humble beginning, saying his life was once like that of a person living in the ‘wilderness’..

    The Ogun State-born singer revealed that he once hawked edibles like Gala, pure water and soft drinks in the traffic after the death of his father.

    He could not thank the organizers of Nigerian Idol enough, for the music contest that changed the story of his life as winner of the coveted prize of N7.5 million, an all-expense paid trip to Dubai, a Hyundai Sports Utility Vehicle and a N7.5 million recording deal with South Africa-based Universal Music label among other largesse.

    “I come from a family of five children and we were well-catered for. My father was an engineer with Leventis Motors at one time, but he lost his job and later tried his hands at trading in motor parts. We eventually lost him to cardiac arrest. That marked the beginning of many difficult years for every one of us, including our mother whose duty it was to provide for us,” said the 32-year-old who took the competition by storm with a unique genre of music; the FujiRnB which he calls a fusion of contemporary and Fuji music.

    “At that time, I covered Mile 2 to Maza-Maza and Alakija, selling Chin-chin. I later sold Gala, Pure water and soft drinks around the “Chopping Centre” neighbourhood of Festac Town,” he said.

    K-Peace had started out sealing and supplying Chin-Chin to some roadside traders, but opted to go into direct selling when he realised he would make more money doing so.

    Prior to this, he had worked as a casual worker in a factory at Maza-Maza where he worked daily from 7 am to 5 pm for a paltry sum of N120.00 with an option of overtime at N30.00 per day. He was on that job for a year before switching to roadside trading.

    All that had changed on coming to the show, but his glorious triumph and the attendant rewards, monetary and non-monetary will obviously boost his finances and music career.

    During the show, K-Peace repeatedly shone like the star that he is today. He was a leading light among the final top 12 contestants and he left no one in doubt about his music qualities and, more so, his rating as a top contender for the top prize throughout the seven weeks that the spotlight was cast on them.

    Nigerian Idol focuses on discovering Nigerian youths with talent in music, giving them a unique platform to take shots at stardom. The season 5 was by sponsored by Payporte, Etisalat Nigeria, Cool Fm, Tantalizers, Cadbury Nigeria, Zaron, Dabur Toothpaste, So-Klin, ORS and Ellis Suites.

  • Fuel scarcity worsens Lagos traffic

    Fuel scarcity worsens Lagos traffic


  • Lagos council tackles traffic congestion, rehabilitates feeder roads

    Lagos council tackles traffic congestion, rehabilitates feeder roads

    To reduce the incessant traffic congestion on the Abule Egba axis of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has embarked on the rehabilitation of some feeder roads in the council area.

    The initiative, according to the Council Manager of Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA, Mrs Mayowa Ikuforiji, became imperative following the hassles which traffic gridlock on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway had caused in recent time.

    “As a responsible council development area, we have decided to alleviate the plight of motorists and commuters who have been subjected to long hours of delay in traffic on the ever busy Abule Egba axis of the Lagos-Abeokuta Highway, hence, we are rehabilitating feeder roads in the council area.

    “After the rehabilitation of Samuel Ajakaiye road, we shall move to other feeder roads, including Idowu Adeniji road, in order to reduce traffic gridlock to its barest minimum. We will ensure that we deploy part of our limited resources toward actualising this initiative which will no doubt go a long way to alleviate the suffering encountered daily on the highway.”

    A cross section of residents, who spoke with our correspondent, hailed the step taken by the council manager and her team for giving road rehabilitation premium attention since she took charge of the council administration.

  • Photos: Running from traffic?

    Photos: Running from traffic?

  • Rivers traffic agency crisis deepens

    Rivers traffic agency crisis deepens

    •Six arrested

    The crisis in the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMA-RIV) deepened yesterday, as policemen arrested and detained six of its officials for unionism.

    The Acting Controller-General, Confidence Eke, claimed they were arrested for criminal activities.

    The six officials were arrested by security personnel from Zone 6, Calabar, Cross River State and moved to Calabar, where they are being detained.

    A source, who pleaded for anonymity, said the officials were arrested at a meeting.

    The source said: “We believe that Eke is behind the arrest and detention of our leaders.”

    The Acting Controller-General claimed that the six officials were arrested for stealing a bus and attempting to sell it in Owerri, the Imo State capital, before the vehicle was recovered.

    Eke, who spoke through the agency’s spokesman, Nimi Brown-West, also claimed that the officials broke into the Zone 5 office and removed equipment, which he said was reported at the Olu Obasanjo Divisional Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    Eke said: “Besides the crimes committed, the six officials refused to honour their postings from their respective zones to other zones.

    “They also assaulted some officials and destroyed official documents. They were arrested at our Moscow Road office in Port Harcourt and none of them works there.”

    Eke urged the public not to take the unionists seriously, but to allow policemen to do their jobs.

  • Shopping in Lagos traffic stream

    Shopping in Lagos traffic stream

    Though the state government has been trying to stop hawking of wares in traffic for very obvious reasons, buying and selling in Lagos traffic have come to stay. To some people, it is a delightful experience;  to others, it is repulsive. They see the practice as a sort of social menace, TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    Though traffic snarls abound in many other urban centres across the country, that of Lagos appears intractable. In spite of concerted efforts by the Federal and state governments to address the daily agonies of both motorists and commuters, there appears to be no respite in sight.

    This is understandable. Lagos is a city most sought after for the listless opportunities that abound  in it for skilled and unskilled, literate and illiterate labourers. It is estimated that about 20 million people from different walks of life live and work in Lagos.

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other global bodies have decried rising youth unemployment rate in the country. This unemployment crisis and the punitive cost of renting a shop in the city may have forced many youths to take advantage of the daily traffic gridlock across the city to eke a living.

    Traffic gridlock is a daily occurrence in Lagos. On the mainland, from the long stretch of Ikorodu road down to the Third Mainland Bridge and on the notorious Agege Motor Road stretching from Mushin to Oshodi then to the Lagos/Abeokuta Road, the story is the same. From  Oshodi Mile-2/Apapa/Orile/Maza-Maza down to LASU Iyana Oba Road it is traffic snarls all the way.The same goes for  Oshodi to Obalende ,Lekki,Ajah and Epe. It has more often than not, made life miserable for both motorists and commuters.

    Akin Adelaja leaves home every morning through the horrendous traffic, faces same rigour when returning home from his work place, yet he is comfortable buying in such a harsh environment. Akin’s wife, Feyisara, finds it more convenient to buy food items by the road side.

    Feyisara, who was sighted buying a big sized croaker fish and other soup ingredients along Ikorodu Road (Ketu area on the outskirts of the city) told The Nation Shopping that though the unusual market compounds the traffic situation, it is a trend that Lagosians have become used to.

    She said: “When I am trapped in traffic longer than usual, I become exhausted and lack the strength and time to visit the regular market. Again, things are cheaper here than in the conventional markets. If I can get everything I need to prepare a meal on the road, why stress myself even on weekends to go shopping in a conventional market?”

    However, traders who sell in traffic are smart; they readily move their wares from the markets to the roadside, especially during the evenings when workers are expected to have closed from their various work places.

    They hawk and shove their wares in the faces of people as they are held up in traffic persuading them to patronise them, shouting the common refrain: ‘Buy, Buy, Na small money’.. They even hang on vehicles, sometimes tapping on car windows and asking people to roll down to check their displayed wares.

    A road side trader at Onipanu, Mr Ugo Amechi said:  “We want to cater for people’s needs and also make more money. This is what we traders call night market; it is an opportunity for us to make sales if we didn’t make much during the day inside our shops. It is also an opportunity for people patronising us to save time and avoid stress of visiting the market aside the stress faced in the traffic.”

    It is difficult to find a society that does not have its own peculiar problems. No matter where a person lives, social problems are inevitable. One of the social problems that is peculiar to Lagos is traffic. It didn’t just begin; it has become a regular feature of Lagos from time immemorial.

    Yes, we all buy one thing or the other in traffic. Items such as newspapers, magazines, bottled drinks, water, rechargeable lamps, top-up cards for mobile phones, loaves of bread, fruits, plantain chips and the popular gala that many can’t do without when caught in traffic.  Even petrol is sold in gallons for motorists who burn fuel during traffic, especially during fuel scarcity.

    Most often, traders who are involved in this act use it as a means of survival to provide the basic necessities of life for their family. They could also have resorted to it as a last resort because many of them feel neglected and often accuse the government of failing to provide them with any form of amenities. The high cost of rent charged on shops is another reason why some of these traders find themselves on the highway. Traders have claimed that officials of the government allocate shops to civil servants who are not traders who in turn sublet these shops at very high prices. High unemployment rate is also a contributing factor.

    However, experts have described the act as a phenomenon causing obstruction to public access to footprints, reducing the beauty and orderliness in the states, causing more congestion on roads also limiting sustainable economic tourist development.

    They say most times, it generates solid waste which when not properly managed results in hygiene problems, especially for traders dealing with food items. A law which makes it illegal to purchase or sell on the street was recently enacted and illegal shops pulled down warning that anyone caught in such act would face the wrath of the law.

    In reaction to the law, traders involved through their trade unions organised protest marches and demonstration several times.

    Those who see the measure of the government to curb the menace as unfair have also argued that it does not only have its negative side but also its positive side. Its positive side includes serving as a means of employment to those that are unemployed as it engages people in doing something useful. Goods can be purchased anytime because the traders do not have a definite closing hour, cheap services are made available to members of the public making sure their location is accessible and goods are provided at cheap prices since they do not have the expense of overhead cost such as rent unlike other retail stores.

    Findings have shown that traders found on the highway during traffic are not displaced traders who have no shops to stay and sell but rather, they are traders that prefer to come out of their hiding places as they often would call their rented shops inside the markets.

    “It pays us more to be here, especially at this time”, said Mr Uchena Kalu, who owns a bakery at Oshodi but goes to various bus stops around to supply bread sellers on the highway fresh and hot.

    Buying and selling in the middle of the ocean of Lagos traffic is different strokes to different folks!

  • Warri’s endless traffic gridlocks

    Warri’s endless traffic gridlocks

    Warri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State, usually witnesses traffic gridlocks, which have been traced to bad spots across the stretch of the roads, writes BOLAJI OGUNDELE

    Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, to an average Delta State indigene or resident, is a performer. Not a few believe that the governor, especially in his second term, has doubled efforts to improve the state of the road networks in the oil-rich enclave.

    But, for residents of Warri metropolis and its environs, the state of roads in many parts of the city is still a source of concern. As a result of this, traffic jams have been a daily experience in the metropolis.

    Warri is small in size, but it is criss-crossed by one of the most complex road networks in the southern part of Nigeria. It is thus not uncommon to hear people make statements, such as “Only God knows what these people (government officials) are doing, there’s no reason why we should be experiencing this” or “if you get to the front now, you will see no real reason for this traffic jam”.

    Niger Delta Report found out that the road jams are mostly occasioned by bad spots, which usually are not longer than 50 to 150 metres. In some other cases, the bad spots are recently created by another set of public messengers, who are tasked with the responsibility of taking pipe-borne water to households in the city. In the process of carrying out their task, especially when they have to take pipelines from one side of the road to the other, they have had to break across hitherto good roads to be able to dig the ground and lay pipes. At the end of laying these pipes, the breaches created on the roads are merely covered with raw earth, which have been washed away by the ceaseless rains of Warri, leaving scores of gapping junctions across the city.

    Some road users said they were looking up to the government to correct the situation. Some summed the situation up as government’s ineptitude.

    Commissioner for Works Solomon Funkekeme did not pick his call, neither respond to a text message sent to him before filing this report.

     

     

     

  • Grant autonomy to traffic police

    SIR: I wish to express my views on the abnormalities going on, the descrimination and injustices being meted to officers of the Motor Traffic Department of the Nigeria Police.

    Much as we salute the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan as visibly seen in his efforts of at alleviating poverty, the Motor Traffic Department has been left behind;  indeed, the organisation is in bondage.

    Officers of the organisation are denied due allowances, motivation and promotion. This continues to dampen their morale. This writer enlisted into the section seven years ago, preciesly in August 2007. Despite serving the organisation dilligently and with humility, I have not enjoyed any promotion. This is in spite of winning laurels for my command as a member of police football machine during the period.

    Besides, I have served as a station writer for a year and a traffic control officer for two years. These two are just a few of the duties performed by many a traffic warden without being given the necessary allowances and promotion by the police authorities. It is like the section does not exist.

    Police authorities continue to discriminate against traffic wardens, seeing them as lesser police officers or attachees with no legal authority or autonomy to carry out their duties. The result is that they are neither respected by the police nor appreciated by the public.

    As if the situation was not bad enough,the police stopped the recruitment of traffic warden officers since 2008 hence reducing the manpower of the section making the workload more tedious.

    Presently, the traffic warden uniforms can no longer be provided neither can it be found in the market to buy.

    Recently,  the promotion list of men and officers of the force on general duties enlisted between 2007 to 2010 was released, but alas, those of the traffic warden fro the same period were not  released without any justifiable reason.

    It is imperative that the police authorities explain to Nigerians why the traffic wardens are denied their rights like hazard  and welfare allowances. The traffic wardens are neglected, deprived and marginalised despite the hazards we encounter in the course of performing our duties.

    A quick way to address these injstices and bring the abnormalities to an end is to grant the organisation total autonomy from the Nigerian police force.This will not only help to boost the

    morale of the officers and men of the section, it will bring in efficiency, smooth running of the organisation and enhance the nation’s growth.

    It is to be noted that the men and officers enlisted into the department are talented, able-bodied and educated as well as civilised enough to contribute their quota to the growth of Nigeria and the

    world at large.

    Autonomy will also go a long way to create more jobs for the army of unemployed graduates.  Above all, autonomy to this organisation is the right thing to do; it will help to write the name of this administration in gold.

    • Agboola Alabi,

    Ilorin, Kwara State

  • Pupils urged to obey traffic laws

    PUPILS of Abina Omololu Primary School, Surulere, have been given a new assignment: to obey and enlighten others about the traffic laws.

    They were enlightened about how to use the road at the 4th Abina Omololu Scout Jamboree held last Wednesday on the school premises.

    Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Unit Commander, Oshodi, Mr Sulaimon Oseni said the children should learn to observe all regulations that apply to them and other pedestrians when using the road.

    Oseni, who was represented by Mr Ajayi Adebowale, also counseled them to be ambassadors of the FRSC and persuade their parents observe all traffic rules while driving.

    “This lecture is not only for people that are driving but for children also to ensure their safety as road users.  My advice is that children should see themselves as the good ambassadors of the FRSC,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Kolade Olademeji of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), urged the pupils to be very careful while using the road.

    A parent, Mrs Ebolg Ike, urged the pupils to be careful when crossing the road.

    The school’s head teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Obilana, also advised the pupils to obey traffic rules and be conscious when crossing the road.

    She added that the event was to celebrate the Scout jamboree for 2014 and infuse lectures on safety into the programme.  She explained that it informed the presence of the FRSC and VIO officials at the programme.

    Scout Group Leader, Mr. Ojekale Oladipo who also teaches at the school, said the Scout Movement was started in England by Lord Borden Powell in 1907 and came to Nigeria in 1915.