#ShelterMatters: What Do You Think Can Be Done To Eradicate Traffic Gridlock On Lagos Roads?

The traffic situation in the country’s centre of excellence keeps getting worse without any visible solution in view. Residents of Lagos state now simply smile through the stress and pain of spending approximately 5hours daily in traffic gridlock just to go about their daily activities.

Concerned citizens and experts have raised their voice and proffered solution to the traffic situation while still waiting on the government to do the needful.

While the London-based weekly magazine, The Economist, gave a damning verdict on the administration of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, stating that Ambode lacked the solution to the traffic congestion and robberies plaguing the state, there were reports that Governor Ambode has said the situation will be tackled with technology.

As we still wait 5months down the line to see the globally tested traffic system work, Lagosians are painstakingly hopeful that something will be done to control the situation.

Federal roads safety corps are no left out in the deliberation as The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr.  Boboye Oyeyemi advocated the use of bicycles on some roads in Lagos as a way of reducing the traffic gridlocks usually experienced in virtually all parts of the city.

Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman, Zenith Bank, outlined the presence of roundabouts on roads as one of the major contributions to traffic congestion in Nigerian cities, especially Lagos state, which contribute to stress for residents.”Most cities in Nigeria have more roundabouts than flyovers, roundabouts are obsolete and not needed because they contribute to traffic jams,” he said.

For example, the traffic congestion Ovia referred to is apparent at Law School, Victoria Island – Ajah axis, along the Lekki-Epe expressway in Lagos state, which should take about 30 minutes but takes as much as two to three hours.

The number of roundabouts along Lekki-Epe expressway from Victoria Island to Ajah is 9 and the distance from one end to the other is just 21 kilometres which should take about 30 minutes travelling distance but tends to be longer due to heavy traffic.

Do we see this government providing a solution to the traffic situation in Lagos state or should Lagosians accept their fate of perpetual traffic gridlock? Perhaps, acquire a bicycle? What Do You Think Can Be Done To Eradicate Traffic Gridlock On Lagos Roads?

Join us on Shelter Matters today on Facebook and twitter with the Hashtag #Sheltermatters to discuss the traffic situation in Lagos, Nigeria.