Lagos State government has directed relevant agencies to review traffic management and regulation strategies, toward finding lasting solution to perennial gridlocks in Nigeria’s former capital city.
Commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who said this in a statement on Wednesday, noted that the government was also introducing technology traffic enforcement to address the menace.
Journeys within Lagos metropolis which should ordinary take between 30 minutes and one hour, now take between four and five hours in some cases, leaving motorists and commuters drained and sapped.
It is majorly cause by bad roads, poor driving and sheer number of trucks, cars, tricycles and motorcycles on the roads. The state government has been unable to effectively enforce its traffic laws, especially as relates to the operation of tricycles and motorcycles.
Omotoso in the statement said that government was aware of the discomfort commuters and motorists had been experiencing since the beginning of the massive road repairs under ‘Operation 116’ across the state.
The commissioner, who said that there was no deliberate action to cause Lagosians any pain, added that the present situation was temporary.
According to him, the contractors are speeding up their jobs and they are being encouraged to work at night, where possible.
He advised motorists to use alternative routes so as to ease the time and stress of staying in traffic.
“The administration sympathises with residents on the inconvenience being suffered daily. In fulfillment of its commitment to making the roads motorable immediately the rains subside, resources and equipment have been deployed to fix degenerated roads. The discomfort will be short-lived.
“The daily influx of people from other parts of the country into Lagos has contributed to the big human and vehicular pressure on the roads “Government will surely surmount the challenges with technology and enforcement of traffic rules.”
He said the government appreciated the perseverance of Lagosians and pledges its commitment to pooling all its resources together to achieve a permanent solution to the problem posed by the rehabilitation of bad roads.
“The administration will ensure that majority of the roads become smooth and motorable before the Yuletide,” he said.
JOSHUA BASSEY
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