Tunde Okunlola
Lagos, the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa is a city-state with an estimated population of 23, 305,971, is recognized as Nigeria’s commercial and economic hub. Its overall size is 3, 577.28 square kilometers, of which 779.56 square kilometers, or almost 22%, are covered by wetlands.
There are 6, 515 people living there per square kilometer. Lagos is also the wealthiest state, having a large concentration of industries and active business life. Being the most populous and densely inhabited state in the nation, Lagos State’s transportation problems are cause for grave concern
Transportation of people and products inside Lagos pose a significant problem to the government and business community for many years. In terms of land mass, Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria. This accounted for why commuters and private vehicles compete for space on just over 5,000km of roadways, with over 22 million journeys made daily.
The state’s transportation network is mostly dependent on roads, which account for 90% of overall passenger and cargo movement. The state has natural waterways for ferry services, as well as a federal rail network that is supplemented by a freshly constructed state rail system.
Data shows that there are about 2,600km of roads in Lagos that are frequently congested with over 1 million vehicles plying the road on a daily basis.
Residents of Lagos experience high transportation costs, uncomfortable bus travel, traffic jams, and bus scarcity when going about their daily lives. Approximately, 57% of a Lagos resident’s working hours are spent traveling to and from work, and 28% of their income is allocated to transportation. This is seen to be abysmal.
Omowunmi Ajayi (photo credit: Tunde Okunlola
Mrs Wunmi, who lives in Iyana Ipaja Lagos explained that for her to go to work daily, she has to budget 4000 Naira, Not only the cost issue, she must prepare to struggle to get the bus and also face heavy traffic congestion. The high amount she spends on transport robs her of savings from her salary.
On some of the reasons why transportation fares are high within Lagos, Lanre, a commercial bus driver said “We should expect a higher cost of transportation in Lagos because of such factors like price of fuel, cost of maintaining vehicle and touts{Agbero) at different bus stops who are illegal tax collectors”
Lanre (photo credit: Tunde Okunlola
Lanre, while analyzing the cost of running their business daily said “For a return trip from Egbeda to Oshodi, my bus consumes about 4 to 5 litres couple with the amount paid to Agberos at different bus-stops and involuntary tips to some traffic officers”. All these costs will be transferred to the commuters eventually.
The problem of traffic congestion which is part of the problems faced in the transportation sector can be traced to the bad state of the roads. Where there are many roads with potholes, vehicles find it difficult to move smoothly and this creates traffic congestion.
Also the illegal parking of vehicles or motors in unauthorized places disrupt free flow of traffic. Many residents of Lagos always have to leave their homes as early as 5am or earlier to get to their office early. Many would not return home until late in the night daily because of traffic congestion. This denied many residents of family times.
Another concern is the bad shape of some commercial buses. The government’s owned BRTs are not left out now. Passengers squeeze themselves into buses. This unhealthy and uncomfortable situation exposed passengers to the risk of contracting airborne diseases. There are stories of people’s clothes getting torn by old haggard buses and people getting injured by such buses.
Tobi
Tobi Bammeke shared his experience with one of such buses. The roof of the bus he boarded from Agege to Dopemu was leaking when rain began to fall. According to him, “Many of the buses plying Agege – Dopemu are in a sorry state”.
Most of these transport issues faced by residents of Lagos do slow down business and mental activities of individuals. Quality man-hours are spent on commuting which eventually reduces the purchasing power of residents.
What can the government do?
One must commend the state government’s efforts in opening up many alternative roads, use of waterway transportation and the recent commissioning of the blue rail line. But it is obvious Lagos State administration needs to put in a number of calculated options for resolving the city’s transportation problems. To achieve these goals and build a transportation system that is both sustainable and effective, a mix of short-term fixes, medium-term initiatives, and long-term planning is needed.
The government should construct new road especially in areas that are not well connected and also widening narrow roads. One may suggest widening of some major roads to six lanes where possible.
Government should also invest more in mass transit buses that can convey many passengers at a time. This would help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and give comfort to passengers
Investing more in other modes of transportation to take more passengers away off road is also a good direction to look. Lagos is surrounded by water bodies which make water transportation a viable option. Increasing the number of waterways transportation systems and making them more secure will assure residents who are still skeptical about those options.
Also rail systems should be upgraded. A well-functioning rail system can significantly reduce the number of cars on the road, as it offers a faster and more reliable alternative.
There should also be strong implementation of traffic laws. The issue of Illegal parking and pick off of passengers at unapproved bus-stop is seen to be one of the causes of traffic congestion. When there’s stricter law for offenders, it will reduce such illegal conduct by drivers.
The Lagos State Government could make a significant improvement in its transport system, reduce the stress of travellers, increase business productivity and enhance overall quality of life for its citizens if it takes these measures.
Cover photo credit: Online
#Tunde Okunlola. presently undergoing his industrial attachment at Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals is a four hundred level student of Mass communications at University of Lagos
