Published 12/24/2008 1:23:00 AM
Traffic chaos grounds Lagos
Rasheed Bisiriyu
Christmas shopping and end-of-year activities compounded the traffic situation on major roads in Lagos on Tuesday.
Motorists and other road users were held in gridlocks for hours on end in many parts of the metropolis.
As early as 10am, many of the major roads had been blocked and a few traffic officers on duty were simply overwhelmed.
From Ikeja to Maryland, Iyana-Ipaja to Oshodi, Oworoshoki Junction on Third Mainland Bridge to Maryland and the old toll gate, the story was the same agony and pain all the way.
Movement was also slow on Ikorodu Road, Airport Road, Ikotun-Isolo Road and Western Avenue.
Those who had to pass through Isolo area of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway were caught in the traffic web occasioned by the popular Tuesday Aswani Market.
Several roads leading in and out of the market remained impossible up for hours. The backlash effect spread to the adjoining streets.
In the affected areas, impatient drivers shunted the queue, creating between two tand four lanes. Some motorists also drove against the traffic and more confusion was created as vehicles, which had overheating problems broke down.
A young man, who left his home at Ikorodu at 11am, did not got to his Ikeja office until 5pm.
He said, “I have never experienced that kind of hold up in Lagos before. The blockage was on both sides of the road. I wanted to go back but it would not make any difference. I don’t intend to take the car home today.”
Many commuters were stranded at bus stops as most commercial buses were already trapped in the traffic jam.
It was also a case of double jeopardy for the commuters, who had to contend with the sudden increase in transport fares. The fares were raised by between 50 and 200 per cent.
Out of frustration, some commuters, who could no longer wait for vehicles at bus stops and those that could not afford the high fares, resorted to trekking.
Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola, on Tuesday, approved that the Bus Rapid Transit vehicles should carry passengers free of charge on Christmas day between 7.00am and 10pm.
The move, according to the External Relations Specialist, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi, is to reduce accidents and ease movement of people.
