Last week, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode paid an unscheduled visit to major traffic points in the Apapa area of the state, to get a first-hand experience of the traffic gridlock, which has brought untold hardship on many Lagosians in recent times.
According to a report by ThisDay Newspaper, Ambode said he was particularly perturbed by the nightmares commuters and motorists were condemned to on a daily basis, noting that the traffic problem on the roads in Apapa was largely due to the indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles attempting to access the port and tank farms located in the areas.
As a palliative measure towards ensuring a free flow of traffic, the governor said a task force, comprising most of the security agencies, including the police would be immediately set up to ensure 24 hours surveillance of traffic flow, stressing, however, that the Lagos Road Traffic Law would be enforced to the letter.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, Ambode said: “We would pay more attention to enforcement. From this evening (Thursday), you will see that there would be more attention on enforcement and we will also fund that enforcement. We are going to give incentives to our law enforcement officers to ensure that the Lagos Traffic Law is obeyed.”
According to Vanguard Newspaper, the task-force set-up by Governor Ambode has commenced operation, forcing the vehicles’ drivers who had in the last few weeks indiscriminately parked along the Berger Yard-Sanya Bus-Stop of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, to steer clear of the ever-busy highway.
Vanguard learnt that following the impounding of some of the articulated vehicles by the task-force team which stormed the axis on Saturday and Sunday, the drivers scampered for safety.
Eyewitness account also said beginning from Saturday afternoon, the tanker drivers had started exiting the highways for fear of having their vehicles impounded.
I am particularly happy about this development because if this is maintained, there would be easier transportation around the Apapa axis and safer roads for everyone because the rate of tanker explosions has skyrocketed in recent times. The less we have them on the road obstructing traffic flow, the better for us all.
Some people have argued otherwise though saying there should be a better, less violent way of reducing the menace and improving traffic flow. They believe the state government went too far with its actions and that the tanker drivers are not to blame for their actions.
What do you think? Do you think another solution could be proffered? Have you been a victim of the gridlock recently? Share your experiences with us and join the conversation.
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This article was first published on 30th June 2015
ejura
Ejura Salihu is an Anatomist, Writer and Editor. She is currently the Editor-in-chief for Connect Nigeria. You can contact her via email: ejurasalihu24@gmail.com or follow her on twitter @icyquin_msc
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According to a report by ThisDay Newspaper, Ambode said he was particularly perturbed by the nightmares commuters and motorists were condemned to on a daily basis, noting that the traffic problem on the roads in Apapa was largely due to the indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles attempting to access the port and tank farms located in the areas.
As a palliative measure towards ensuring a free flow of traffic, the governor said a task force, comprising most of the security agencies, including the police would be immediately set up to ensure 24 hours surveillance of traffic flow, stressing, however, that the Lagos Road Traffic Law would be enforced to the letter.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, Ambode said: “We would pay more attention to enforcement. From this evening (Thursday), you will see that there would be more attention on enforcement and we will also fund that enforcement. We are going to give incentives to our law enforcement officers to ensure that the Lagos Traffic Law is obeyed.”
According to Vanguard Newspaper, the task-force set-up by Governor Ambode has commenced operation, forcing the vehicles’ drivers who had in the last few weeks indiscriminately parked along the Berger Yard-Sanya Bus-Stop of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, to steer clear of the ever-busy highway.
Vanguard learnt that following the impounding of some of the articulated vehicles by the task-force team which stormed the axis on Saturday and Sunday, the drivers scampered for safety.
Eyewitness account also said beginning from Saturday afternoon, the tanker drivers had started exiting the highways for fear of having their vehicles impounded.
I am particularly happy about this development because if this is maintained, there would be easier transportation around the Apapa axis and safer roads for everyone because the rate of tanker explosions has skyrocketed in recent times. The less we have them on the road obstructing traffic flow, the better for us all.
Some people have argued otherwise though saying there should be a better, less violent way of reducing the menace and improving traffic flow. They believe the state government went too far with its actions and that the tanker drivers are not to blame for their actions.
What do you think? Do you think another solution could be proffered? Have you been a victim of the gridlock recently? Share your experiences with us and join the conversation.
