Features
Lagos Traffic – What Exactly is Happening?
Have you moved around Lagos recently?
From anywhere to anywhere, all over Lagos – Epe, Ikorodu, Alagbado, Surulere, Ojodu Berger, Apapa, Lekki, Agege, Ikeja, Yaba, Iyana-Ipaja, Victoria Island, Ikotun, Ojo – everywhere in Lagos is traffic.
The traffic, as we used to know it, was isolated to certain hours, certain days.
We’re used to Monday mornings being bad. Friday evenings, too. And when the Redeemed Christian Church of God has its monthly program? Oh God!
But these days, it’s been every day, all day.
This is Lagos traffic since morning. And at the moment it's still like this. pic.twitter.com/YhUrxK96CM
— Honey (@obe1900) September 22, 2017
Thursday the 21st was just as terrible as Friday the 15th.
@Gidi_Traffic This is what Ikorodu road looks like ATM.
Lagos State should have declared pub holiday cos this is not how to live walahi… pic.twitter.com/W80T25h4uo— Marian (@crystalwhite24) September 22, 2017
Of course, the government’s tactic is to find something to blame, while neglecting to fix the issue.
This time, the blame is heaped upon trailer drivers.
LASG has expressed worry over the traffic bottleneck that has taken over Apapa & its environs due to the activities of trailer operators pic.twitter.com/3Jd5NTk4Jh
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) September 22, 2017
And while sometimes this is actually true…
Goin towards Lagos Island? Avoid ikd rd. The tankers/trucks all d way 2 onipanu, then private rides 2 palmgroove @Gidi_Traffic #GIDITRAFFIC pic.twitter.com/jIb9ZSaEtq
— we rise by lifting others (@lagoslawa) September 23, 2017
It is not always the case.
We don't know why the traffic gridlock is happening |Tanker drivers equally confused over the Lagos traffic gridlock https://t.co/T4QgwGVsAA pic.twitter.com/exsfUduLUY
— Y! Online (@YNaija) September 22, 2017
It’s easy to forget what constant traffic might result in if one’s only goal is to get home at night or arrive at the office early in the morning. The man-hours lost, the stress gained, the shortened lifespan.
However, how many important meetings that could have yielded incredible opportunities have been missed because of the traffic? How many lives have been lost because the road to the hospital is blocked?
The amount of man hours lost due to this alaka bridge traffic is mind bugling. And we have a Lagos state govt. @followlasg @Gidi_Traffic pic.twitter.com/JXYGd88q02
— Olu P (@olup_official) September 13, 2017
Friday night, pop star Mayorkun announced that he missed his 8 PM flight to Ghana after leaving his home by 4:30 PM.
THIS TRAFFIC IS FROM THE PIT OF HELL!!! HOW DO YOU MISS AN 8PM FLIGHT?!!! LEFT THE HOUSE BY 4:30PM! SMH!!!
— MAYORKUN (@IamMayorKun) September 22, 2017
LITTLE ADVICE: IF YOU HAVE AN 8PM FLIGHT IN LAGOS, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR HOUSE BY 12PM!
— MAYORKUN (@IamMayorKun) September 22, 2017
Sadly I missed my flight.. I touchdown tomorrow! I'm so sorry, Blame it on the unpredictable traffic in Lagos! https://t.co/EEHL32Irox
— MAYORKUN (@IamMayorKun) September 22, 2017
And it’s not just him. Everyone’s complaining.
All my fine boy and packaging just wash inside danfo…..Lagos traffic is frustrating I swear down
— promise beatus (@pgent1) September 13, 2017
In Lagos, so I'm going to spend the next couple of days tweeting about how horrible traffic is & how everywhere smells. #IJustGotIn #IJGI
— May. (@movivant) September 13, 2017
Lagos traffic on friday b like: you sleep in ur car and after 2hrs u discover that u r still on d same spot cos the traffic is a stand still pic.twitter.com/l3TlhJHbEz
— Rose d licious (@rosemaricious) September 15, 2017
Lagos traffic makes it look like er'body be driving 3 cars on the road same time.😩😩😩😩 #GIDITRAFFIC @Gidi_Traffic
— Miz gabby (@miz_gabby) September 19, 2017
@AkinwunmiAmbode @lagosstategov The traffic situation in LAGOS is so terrible lately, this is as a result of bad roads.. We are suffering
— alstars music (@AlstarsM) September 13, 2017
Of course, the most obvious reason for the traffic is bad roads.
"Dangote does not understand how to repair roads; he should not have been given the contract" | Driver speaks on the Lagos traffic gridlock. pic.twitter.com/IToleVb0i5
— Y! Online (@YNaija) September 22, 2017
But drivers’ tendency to ignore traffic rules is also worrying.
International Airport Road, Lagos. Driving against traffic. Common occurrence. Tomorrow, complaints about "corruption" and "bad leaders". pic.twitter.com/7dqjsdaQp9
— Eyo (@eyooekpo) September 13, 2017
In Lekki, in the traffic that leads to the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, drivers climb the sidewalks with abandon in an attempt to cut through. More than once this has led to one scratching another’s car, which ultimately leads to them parking on the road and causing more traffic.
It’s the same story on Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, and, frankly, everywhere else.
The flooding also doesn’t help for sure, and the danfos that stop in the middle of the road.
One could go on, really.
While we wait on the government to please, PLEASE, help fix our roads, we can do the little things on our part, like exercising a little patience and obeying traffic rules.
It goes a long way, the little things.
Photo Credit: @obe1900
Chic
September 23, 2017 at 3:49 pm
The FG just needs to approve at least 3 strategically located seaports in other regions of the country to reduce this congestion in Lagos. The one located in Akwa Ibom is just wasting. Other state Governors need to work harder 2 bring development to their regions. This concentration of every key driver of the Nigeria economy in Lagos is not good for the country.
Jade
September 23, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Later now when Lagos is listed among war affected areas, y’all will vex but that traffic looks like hell.
Functional railroad, bus system and more lanes will help. Even with those things populous cities still have heavy traffic let alone with none. It’s just not as bad as it would have been.
Ephi
September 23, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Any populous city which doesn’t have a functional well-connected rail system in this 21st century is on a long thing. The roads are overwhelmed already.
nene
September 23, 2017 at 4:41 pm
spot on!
o
September 23, 2017 at 5:56 pm
God bless you! EOD!!!
nene
September 23, 2017 at 4:41 pm
it is ridiculous. you’d think the roads are clear by 9 but there’s traffic all day long. it’s exhausting! Even on Saturday and Sunday evenings!
The Real Oma
September 23, 2017 at 5:59 pm
So glad I got out of that hell-hole man.
Mrs chidukane
September 23, 2017 at 7:19 pm
The last time I was in Lagos, traffic started in front of our gate. Even V.I that used to be sane is crazy. You guys are trying. The first comment is so spot on. Everything can’t keep being concentrated in Lagos. The city can’t take any more stress.
amaa
September 23, 2017 at 8:07 pm
companies have to start asking people to work remotely if they dont need to come to the office.
Working from home is a great idea you can start once a week, and of course there will be people who cant work from home. Also shift work should be looked into. a speed rail and a transportation overhaul is needed asap. At least in NY you have the option of rail
Wale Vintage
September 23, 2017 at 9:09 pm
Why don’t they reverse a couple of the free “oncoming” lanes” so regular vehicles can pass? At least until the congestion in Apapa eases a bit. They should allow ambulances and emergency vehicles use the BRT lanes. God forbid a sick person is trapped in this wahala. God forbid someone smokes and mistakenly throws their cig butt around the fuel tankers. This is so wrong by any dimension. Ambode/Dangote/Fashola – are you guys sleeping? It is just too bad Opeifa has left Lasg, he would have resolved this sharp sharp. By now Lagos should have a command center for traffic management. It is one of the biggest metro areas in the world.
Dee
September 23, 2017 at 9:15 pm
Blame it on the bad roads and the workers of the Road Maintance Ministry. When, if at all they repair it they fix it haphazardly, u ask urself if they are coming back only to fix they have packed their tools.
Nky
September 24, 2017 at 1:10 pm
I spent 3 hours from Ikeja to Fadeyi. Friday was a hellish experience.
Don’t leave your home with a half filled fuel tank. Tank me later.