UNDERSTANDING AMBODE’S NEW APPROACH TO UNLOCKING TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK= MUSIBAU RAZAK

In the Lagos of old, townsfolk could enjoy romantic or meditative evenings at the Lagos Marina, enveloped in celestial ambiance from the cool Atlantic Ocean breeze. That was when the population was barely 350,000. However, as people continue to flock to the state in search of the proverbial greener pasture, the geometrical increase in population, together with political instability, diminished Government’s capacity to enforce law and order. Swiftly, the State became more known for traffic jams, heaps of refuse and decayed infrastructure rather than for the proverbial “Eko for Show”.

 

Traffic congestion is widely viewed as a growing problem in many urban areas across the world because the overall volume of vehicular traffic in many areas grows faster than the overall capacity of the transportation system. Succeeding governments in Lagos have devised means to tackle traffic gridlock. These include the issuance of ‘Odd’ and ‘Even’ numbers in the early 1980s which allowed motorists ply certain routes within specified periods. The success of this approach may not have been visible and adequate for the Lagos of today. In the last sixteen years, succeeding administrations in the state have equally devised various strategies to tackle the traffic problem in actualizing their social contract with the citizens. From the establishment of LASTMA, LAGBUS, LAMATA, BRT system, Light Rail, modern Ferry services and Taxi scheme to the construction of bus and ferry terminals as well as the traffic radio, the goal of massive investment in the transport sector by the state government has been geared toward ensuring free flow of traffic, road safety and social and economic development.

 

Glaringly, in as much as all these plans and actions of the State Government essentially indicate genuine concerns to address the perennial traffic problem in the State, it is important to admit that they have not been sufficient enough to entirely redress the situation. One of the reasons for this is human factor. In Lagos State, it is not uncommon to see vehicles illegally parked on either side of the road. Some even drive in such careless fashions that make nonsense of traffic laws while others drive on or across the road median. Other human activities that complicate the traffic hassles in the State include driving against traffic, making illegal U turn, using reverse drive to cover long distance in order to beat traffic jam and disobeying traffic lights and other traffic instructions. 

In recent weeks, transportation has been one of the biggest challenges facing Lagosians. The menace of trucks and articulated vehicles across the State have caused untold hardship and man-hour loss as well as revenue loss for the State coupled with the lawlessness of commercial bus drivers, motor cycle operators and Tricycle riders. One out of the 11 point agenda of the present administration is to fully pursue an integrated transport management. Hence Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the beginning of the administration embarked on spot assessment of roads across the State to further tackle the causes of traffic gridlock and subsequently launched massive road maintenance project to ease undue hardship for road users who spend endless hours in gridlock due to bad conditions of the road. The result is that the deplorable portions of these roads are being repaired daily to enhance free flow of traffic.  Another vital part of the State strategies is the relocation of all congested bus stops in the State, particularly those with locations close to markets. It is the view of the State government that bus stops located near markets easily aggravate traffic situation. Indeed, most of the major locations notorious for depressing traffic jam in the metropolis such as Mile 12, Oshodi, Ketu, Iyana-Ipaja, etc are areas with enormous market presence.  

Another essential aspect of the State government’s new traffic resolution strategy is construction of pedestrian foot bridges. Mr. Akin Ambode and his team basically observed that the gridlock in places such as Iyana –Ipaja, Ojo, Ojodu-Berger, Abule Egba, etc is essentially a product of lack of foot bridges.  It is, hence, expected that with the provision of pedestrian bridges, the volume of traffic congestion in such axis would wane remarkably. As a way forward, the State government has approved the construction of pedestrian bridges across key locations in the State. Additionally, the State government had approved funds for the Lagos State Public works Corporation to rehabilitate damaged roads in the State. It is the conviction of the State government that when the roads are in good condition and motorable, it would reduce the occurrence of traffic gridlock in the State.  

The newly introduced approach of arrest and sanctioning of motorists who violate traffic rules in the State is to reposition LASTMA for better service delivery, more robust, civil and polite method of managing traffic and it is anchored on emphasis in ensuring flawless flow of traffic. It is not a license for unruly motorists to revert to old bad habits but for  LASTMA to synergize with other security agencies to ensure that the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 is enforced. The new approach was in response to the demand of motorists, stakeholders and members of the public clamouring for a new approach as against hitherto anachronistic method of traffic control through intimidation and force. It is somehow baffling that same people shouting for enforcement with human-face before the last election are today singing another hymn.  Good enough, we are in democracy and the most important thing is for Government to listen to and plan the best for the people.

The new approach is anchored on documentation procedure where traffic offenders are booked and given a grace period for payment and defaulters apprehended at home through the information on the motor vehicle database deserves commendation. With a grace period, the logic is that drivers will not be denied opportunity of means of livelihood while still expected to pay fine. This is the human-face policy and enforcement people craved for and it is based on the conviction that since LASTMA officials are a reflection of the state government, its activities must add value to the government’s covenant with Lagos residents to make life easier for them.

Solving traffic problems in a mega city like Lagos that houses the two major ports, busiest international airports with concentration of the largest number of oil tank farm in the country would require the support, collaboration and cooperation of all the stakeholders with the government. The current effort of the Ambode administration to build two roads in each of the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas will not only ease traffic problem but create more jobs, income, savings and investment capable of taking Lagos to greater prosperous height. We must not damage the roads. We must comply with all traffic rules. LASTMA officials are our brothers and sisters. We must respect them. They have chosen to work in the sun and in the rain to guarantee our free movement, we must not ridicule them. LASTMA officials should in turn be civil in their dealings and conducts with members of the public.Musbau is of the Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.