Gridlock traps motorists on Eko Bridge, forces commuters to trek

Motorists driving through the Eko bridge, from Costain inward Agpongbo and CMS, were stranded as a severe traffic gridlock brought movement to a standstill, forcing many commuters to trek long distances to reach their workplaces and businesses.

What should have been a normal routine commute turned into hours of frustration for many residents, disrupting movement across the corridor.

Ada Arinze, a trader working in the Lagos Island market (Idumota), told BusinessDay that the prolonged gridlock disorganised her day and work schedule.

“I resume work by 10 a.m., and it’s already almost noon, and I’m yet to get there. I’ve spent hours in traffic, and I’m exhausted before work has even started,” Arinze said.

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Tobi Mohammed, who frequents the Abulegba to Leventis route, said the congestion turned what is normally a one-and-a-half-hour journey into a nearly four-hour trip, saying, “I was supposed to be at work by 8 a.m., but I didn’t get there until almost 12 p.m.”

Mohammed attributed part of the congestion to overpopulation in the state and poor driving habits, as some motorists disregard lane discipline and worsen traffic. He added that flooding caused by the rain also stirred up traffic, saying authorities had failed to prepare despite the predictable nature of the rainy season.

“Some drivers move into lanes they shouldn’t be in and later force their way back into the correct lane, creating more delays.

“Officials also need to be on the ground to properly direct vehicles and keep traffic flowing,” Mohammed said.

There was no official statement to identify the cause of the gridlock, however, some commuters noted that the traffic started yesterday during the heavy downpour that flooded the turning inwards to Leventis bus stop, as cars and buses broke down along the way.

Several other commuters described similar experiences. One said they had been stuck in traffic since 8:07 a.m. and, by almost 12 p.m., had still not reached Apongbon.

Another commuter recalled spending more than three hours in the same traffic the previous day, saying, “It wasn’t funny at all. You need a full tank and a reliable engine to survive the traffic.”