When, recently, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode estimated the annual losses arising from the notorious traffic congestion in Lagos at N42 billion, he reminded stakeholders of the urgency of fixing a monstrous problem that has hampered the pace of development in Nigeria’s richest state. Only a stronger response, robust and sustained law enforcement can untangle the traffic choke-hold on the emerging mega city.
The negative impact of the congestion is felt far beyond its borders. Perhaps, traffic congestion is inevitable for a financial, industrial and commercial hub. Apart from the huge losses suffered by businesses in man-hours lost, delays in supplies of goods and services, Lagos traffic jams frequently feature robberies and cause health hazards. A report for the Henrich Boll Foundation suggests that congestion adds up to 20 per cent costs for businesses.
The smallest in land area among the 36 states, Lagos, with its 3,475 square kilometres, occupies just 0.4 per cent of Nigeria and even of this, 22 per cent is part lagoon and creeks. But punching above its weight, it boasts a population of 21 million and its Gross Domestic Product of $131 billion, as estimated by the state government, places it as the fifth largest in Africa. According to the state’s budget office, Lagos contributes about 25 per cent to national GDP which rises to 32 per cent of non-oil income. Unlike the 35 other states, it is financially self-sufficient, generating about 75 per cent of its revenues and contributing the largest chunk of Value Added Tax to the central pot.
It hosts 45 per cent of the country’s skilled manpower and, according to the World Bank, provides half of manufacturing and 53 per cent of industrial employment, an overwhelming portion of finance, commerce and transport. Its ports typically account for 60 to 80 per cent of national maritime traffic and it remains the major hub for international travel and tourism.
The traffic congestion is exacerbated by the organic agglomeration of 16 of its 20 local government areas into Metropolitan Lagos, now the world’s sixth largest and described by the UN as the most rapidly growing city. Representing only 37 per cent of the land area, this metropolis nevertheless houses 85 per cent of the state’s population. Neglect by successive administrations between 1984 and 1999 left transport and, indeed, other infrastructure, in a shambles, overwhelmed by population explosion. Over 40 per cent of the 12.5 million vehicles estimated by the Nigeria Insurers Association to be in the country are in Lagos; some seven million people are moved on Lagos roads daily in private cars, buses, motorcycles and tricycles. Only seven per cent use rail and water.
Today’s situation is not for want of creative efforts. Indeed, but for the robust policies by the state government over the past 16 years, Lagos would have been unbearable. However, though the government deserves praise for introducing novel policies and giving transport the priority it deserves, the traffic situation is still a huge drawback to social and business activities, lives and health. One major reason is poor enforcement of relevant laws. From the creation of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority in 2000, the World Bank-assisted Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority in 2002, and the strengthening of the Vehicle Inspection Office and other agencies, sealed by amendments and new laws like the Lagos Traffic Law, the state has established the most modern urban transport institutional framework in sub-Saharan Africa. The recent creation of mobile courts to try traffic offenders in real time and plan to complete the Lagos rail project and enhance water transport are the latest tweaks to the efforts. We acknowledge the massive works on Lagos-Badagry, Lagos-Ikorodu and many other routes. There have also been massive investments in roads, new bridges, street lighting, rehabilitation, including over N59 billion spent on the 117 federal roads in the state, the novel Bus Rapid Transport and LAGBUS, as well as the streamlining of licensing and other reforms. The full benefits of these are, however, being sabotaged by weak enforcement.
Ambode blundered on assumption of office last year by a resort to populism that was interpreted as an official relaxation of enforcement. Only strict, uncompromising enforcement will guarantee compliance with the law and ensure sustainable order on the roads. The laudable public enlightenment, road repairs and construction and deployment of First World processes like BRT, modern rail, CCTV and commitment of traffic officers will not suffice. Other cities like Singapore, Tokyo, New York, London and Johannesburg don’t compromise on enforcement despite their benevolent governments. The World Resources Institute found that Tokyo drastically reduced congestion and fatalities by investing in and drawing people to public transportation. Enforcement of traffic laws is central to the collaborative efforts of the Home Office, Department of Transport and the Metropolitan Police in London. In Lagos, the commercial motorcycles that have returned in force to many of the 475 roads from which they were restricted, out of the 9,100 roads in the state, should be firmly evicted.
Commercial motorcycles should have no place in a metropolis like Lagos. Ambode should mobilise LASTMA, VIO, the task forces and the police to resume immediate, unflinching enforcement. Without taming the commercial bus drivers, especially the mini buses (danfo), tricycle and motorcycle operators, and irresponsible private drivers, traffic congestion will continue to hamper development. Many of the policemen on the field are so addicted to corruption and defiance of authority that they have largely rendered traffic laws meaningless, serving only to provide them with an avenue for extortion which they engage in openly without fear of censure. The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, should rein in his deviant men.
Speeding up the first phase of the light rail project, ramping up its plans for water transport and tram, continuous road rehabilitation and construction of new roads/bridges, improving BRT/LAGBUS as well as rigorous enforcement of the laws will record marked improvement. The game changer, we insist, is full, corruption-free enforcement that allows for no sacred cows.
