Lagos — Uncontrollable traffic congestion, which every road in the state is now known for, is one of the most worrisome activities that take place in Lagos. The situation is not limited to specific routes in the state, neither is it restricted to any particular time. From Meiran in Alagbado to Oshodi, Agege to Ikeja, Ogba to Mile 12, Ebute-Metta, Maryland to Yaba, Ojota, Oshodi to Ketu and Falomo to Ajah, the story is the same, as the routes are a daily nightmare to motorists and commuters. Many times, the traffic enforcement agents on these roads seem helpless or simply overwhelmed with the monstrous traffic.

Worst of it all, most times the cause of the congestion is unknown or insignificant while at other time it is caused by human factors, such as flouting of simple traffic rule or impatience resulting in accident, and dilapidated public infrastructure.

The daily traffic snarl witnessed in the state all round the week may however continue for a long time given the rising population of Lagos State and its status as the economic epicentre of the country. With a population of more than 18 million and daily influx of thousands of people across the country and beyond, the state is no doubt stressed. But must that really translate into excruciating traffic at every turn?

One of the implications of this ugly development is that very productive time is wasted while the traffic snarl lasts. Besides, in a tropical environment where the weather is always hot, the passengers in commercial vehicles suffer a lot, as they sweat profusely in the rickety inconvenient 'danfo' buses when the traffic is stagnant.

Sometimes, the situation becomes so unbearable that several passengers would just decide to disembark and resort to trekking to their destinations, a torture of some sorts. And even the naughty drivers do not help the situation when traffic hold-up occurs, as they most times drop the passengers half-way and leave their to their fate while they (the drivers) make a u-turn.

At this age of civilisation and Lagos' dream of becoming a mega city soon, it is imperative that Lagos should lay more emphasis on this stressful and awful experience on its roads. Aside time that is wasted on the roads, motorists are at the same time extorting passengers with high and unaffordable fares under the pretext that the traffic snarl is dreadful. The poor passengers, who are eager to get to their various destinations, have no choice than to dance to the tunes of these extortionists.

Furthermore, the high population also leads to increase in the number of vehicles that ply the road and due to the influx of 'tokunbo' cars, which are quite affordable, a lot of Nigerians save fortunes by buying these cars. Almost every family in Lagos has at least a car, which has led to the high numbers of vehicles on the roads.

Negligence of drivers, who never ensure the proper maintenance of their vehicles, also contributes to unavoidable traffic snarl on Lagos roads. In fact, a survey revealed that about 90 per cent of drivers in Lagos are very incompetent and unqualified, as such, they drive without the needed driving skills on the expressway.

Decay in public infrastructure, including; lack of road signs, lack of streetlights, deplorable roads, lack of traffic signs and lack of road networks also contribute to traffic congestion in Lagos. On a tour on Lagos roads, it would be revealed that all the lights on the highways are not functioning, while many roads are at the same time not motorable due to their deplorable shape. Large craters hinder free flow of movement on the highways. In some of the roads, these craters create a situation whereby the only passable portion of the road becomes so narrow that many users struggle to compete for space.

A passenger in an excruciating traffic jam along Oshodi lamented that the roads are too narrow for the teeming motorists while government is not doing enough to expand the roads.

"Look at the road; it is quite too narrow for the numerous motorists, who wrongfully overtake one another. Since there is an expansion in the state, the government should try to expand the roads too. In some of the highways, we have just two lanes. It is not like that abroad," he said. He added that Lagos residents should utilise the availability of telecommunication to reduce the tension on the roads.

"People don't have to leave their houses every time if what you are going for could be discussed on phones. Just do that, use the transport fare to buy recharge card and talk on phone. It is only if it is very necessary that you should go out," he suggested.

The other problem is that the road network in the state is poor. For instance, it is only one route that links Iyana-Ipaja to Sango Ota. Motorists do not have the opportunity of alternative route when there is congestion on a particular route.

It would be recalled that the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge showed that other routes to the Island are neglected and in deplorable shape. The high tension on the bridge and other roads in Lagos, which leads to tear and wear of the road, could only be reduced if government could identify other road networks and construct them for users.

In spite of the introduction of BRT buses, the impact is not felt much due to high numbers of vehicles on roads.

Kehinde Daniel Shotubo said the egoistic nature of Nigerians would always make them not to join the BRT or other commercial vehicles. He said if people could opt for commercial buses instead of going out with their vehicles would help reduce the traffic jam on roads.

"As beautiful as the BRT is, a lot of people are not willing to drop their cars at home and join the bus. We like to show off in this country; nobody is willing to do away with status," he said.

He added that the only remedy for the poor infrastructure is the need for visionary leaders, who can help chart a course for Lagos, stressing that long-term planning, budget allocation for road construction and placing knowledgeable persons in the right positions in the transport sector of the economy are other factors that could help to improve transportation system in the state.

"There should be a master plan for renewal of infrastructure and a continuity of the outgoing administration's policy. New government should not dump the previous government's policy. While they should not always believe that a road would not depreciate, the budget allocation should be used to maintain the roads," he said.

Though it is apparent that the state is trying in its own little way, particularly with the setting up of agencies, such as the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), observers believe that effective utilisation other means of transportation, such as train, metro line and ferry service, among others, will greatly help in reducing pressure on the roads.