COST OF NIGERIA’S POOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND MAKING KARA BRIDGE END OF LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY COMFORTABLE FOR USERS DURING THIS REPAIR PERIOD[1]

COST OF NIGERIA’S POOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Nigeria has an inefficient transportation system. This is obvious in the fact that Nigerians still depend largely on roads to move from one point to another and to move goods from one point to another. Trains which are world over acceptable as means of urban mass transit are still in their nascent stage in Nigeria though the present administration seems to be investing heavily on it. Unfortunately, it seems our well-known inability to efficiently manage our infrastructure means that some of our rail systems are losing values. Our waterways are still not being well-utilised for intra-city and/or inter-city transportation. The resultant effect of this is that majority of Nigerians commute via road using buses that are uncomfortable on a daily basis. And in a city like Lagos, this means traffic jam.

What has been the result of our inefficient transportation system to Nigerians?

Cost of transportation increases as a result of traffic gridlocks. Transporters fearing the effect a poorly managed traffic gridlock can cause to their daily projected profit, increase their selling price sometimes astronomically to be able to recoup their projected profit or at least break even. For the person who drives his own car, cost of fuelling may increase as a result of traffic gridlocks which have now become ubiquitous in Lagos.

Further to this, commuters who utilise available public transport buses and have to pay through their noses to commute are deprived of available funds to cater for other areas of their lives. Thus, a chunk of expendable funds are only available to move from one point to another. This leaves other areas of their lives deprived of needed finances.

Unfortunately for many Nigerians, our poor transportation system has also affected the health of Nigerians negatively. Many public transportation buses release harmful carbon which becomes more concentrated during hectic traffic gridlocks. Coupled with this, is the stress both drivers and commuters face while commuting from one point to another.

Nigerians equally lose valuable human hour to our poor transportation system. Hours that can be used to contribute meaningfully to the economy and develop oneself are lost moving from one point to another. People who would have left their vehicles at home to use public transportation system and thus had time to carry out one economic activity or the other have had to drive themselves for long hours to commute from one point to another and thus were unable during their transit to carry out any economic or self-developing activity. Many who have to utilise public transportation system find themselves so inconvenienced that they are not able to carry out any economic activity.

We really need to address our poor transportation system and put in place workable as well as practicable solutions as quickly as possible to get Nigeria moving as fast as possible.

MAKING KARA BRIDGE END OF LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY COMFORTABLE FOR USERS DURING THIS REPAIR PERIOD

The present administration in its drive to make the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway a truly world class super highway has commenced repairs on the Kara Bridge. The effect of this has already caused untold hardship on residents who have to ply the route on a daily basis to secure their daily bread.

The option of alternative routes has not been able to alleviate the hardship experienced by Nigerians on this route on a daily basis. How can this hardship be reduced to the barest minimum?

I recommend that the Lagos State and Ogun State Governments provide mass transit buses from 7UP to Mowe and Mowe back to 7UP. I have argued in another piece that mass transit buses will reduce the number of vehicles on our roads and make it easier to transit from one point to another. It is quite surprising that neither of the two State Governments seem interested in taking steps in this regard which would have fetched them needed revenue. The Lagos Bus Services Limited, the managers of the blue vehicles launched by the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode should consider covering Mowe to 7UP routes to and fro for a fee. This should go a long way in reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Further to this, people who ply this route should also consider share-riding during this period in order to reduce their stress level.[2]

Further to this, the Federal Road Safety Commission should remove the obstruction on the byway on the Longbridge en-route Lagos. Traffic during the peak hour en-route Lagos usually extends to the Long Bridge. Unfortunately, some persons placed an embargo on the byway en-route Lagos. Transporters who do not want to face the usual traffic ply one way from Arepo down to Wawa where they either follow the long bridge down to the end of the bridge or join the byway of the Long Bridge outward Lagos though now facing Lagos. These transporters including private vehicle owners cause traffic gridlock at the foot of the bridge when they attempt to join the normal route to Lagos. This traffic gridlock can be avoided by the removal of this unnecessary obstacle. Removing the obstacle can lighten up traffic on the long bridge while also ensuring people moving out of Lagos do not have to face an unnecessary traffic jam.

Further to this, emergency service operation including medical, traffic, fire service is needed on that route. Apart from traffic control agencies that line up this route, the fire service agency, medical personnel are not on this route. No one prays for an emergency but they do happen and wisdom says emergency service operatives should be on ground to address possible emergencies in order to reduce the likelihood of irreparable damage. We cannot afford to simply say God will not let it happen as Dr Joe Abah asserts. Fire outbreaks that occur during traffic gridlock could be catastrophic if fire service is not readily available to fight the fire. Also, medical emergency could also be catastrophic if a commuter cannot be easily evacuated to assess medical attention.

I do sincerely hope that this Administration will channel its efforts into ensuring that the road repairs are carried out and completed as quickly as possible.

What do you think about the points raised in this article? Is there something I did not bring into focus that you have observed? Kindly drop your opinions in the comment section. I will like to read them.

[1] Oluwakemi S. Adeyemi Esq is an Associate at P O Bajowa Chambers, a law firm based in Lagos and his research interest covers litigation (trial and appellate courts), the institution of effective pension system that caters for present needs while preparing for the future, the interface between law and the economy of nations especially Africa, the development of an efficient and effective transportation model for Africa’s mega cities. He shares some of his thoughts on these issues and more via www.medium.com/@aolulaw17 and interfaces on Twitter via twitter.com/@aoluwakemi17. He may be reached via aolulaw17@gmail.com.

[2] Read my suggestion on share-riding and other low hanging fruits on tackling Lagos’ traffic challenge via: https://medium.com/@aolulaw17/confronting-lagos-traffic-challenge-low-hanging-fruits-1-cbe6e26f2d91?source=your_stories_page---------------------------