Apapa gridlock: Pedestrians decry one-way traffic

Pedestrians along the traffic-ridden Oshodi Apapa Expressway have decried the recklessness of one-way traffic drivers, and called for construction of pedestrian bridges along sections of the expressway that witness massive movement of pedestrians crossing from one side of the highway to the other.

Some pedestrians, who spoke to Vanguard at the popular Second Rainbow junction and Otto Woff Bus Stop, said the situation has conferred on the road the most dangerous road status in Lagos.

They identified the sections of the highway that need pedestrian bridge to include: Second Rainbow, Mile 2 FESTAC side and Otto Woff Bus Stop.

Drivers resort to driving one-way when the major expressway is blocked by the trucks and tanker drivers going to lift petroleum products at Apapa. The problem is compounded by motorcycle riders who also ply one-way, driving at very reckless speed, with little consideration for pedestrians trying to cross the road. This creates bedlam, making crossing the road a risky adventure.

A nursing student, Miss Joy Emaku, who plies the road to her residence in Apapa told Vanguard: “This road has turned into a nightmare to motorists and a death trap to pedestrians. People die here frequently. It is quite unfortunate that people have to go through this in order to go over to Apapa. This situation has made it expedient for an over head bridge to be constructed at Otto-Woff, seeing that it is a major area that leads to other major roads in the state.”

She explained that: “There have been countless accidents along this axis because of the uncontrollable traffic as commercial buses as well as motorcycles take one-way to avoid the heavy gridlock. As a result of this, countless souls have been swallowed up on this road when crossing over to the other side.”

On his part, a businessman, Harmony Ubani, argued that death toll in the area has risen considerably since last year.

“From August to December, 2014, there were at least three deaths in one month, recorded along this road. I cross this road daily going to work from Ajeromi and I had to stop for about 20 to 30 minutes waiting for a safe time to cross the road. Sometimes, I had to go through Boundary just to be on the safe side.”

“What is most dangerous is the recklessness with which the drivers taking one way drive. They drive as if they are on their right of way. Sometimes it is understandable that it is not their fault but they don’t seem to consider the danger and risk they put the lives of their passengers,” lamented Chukwudi Ozoadibe who plies the road daily from Oshodi to Coconut.

“This makes it very difficult for people to cross the road without risking being killed by oncoming vehicles from either side of the road,” he added.

Also speaking, another pedestrian, Jacob Lawson narrated his experience seeing a bus driving one-way kill a young woman.

According to him, “It was after Alaba Express bus stop. The lady was trying to cross to Fatgbems side when the bus coming against the traffic hit her and she crash-landed, hitting her head on the road. It was the goriest sight I have ever seen. She hit her head with force and crushed her skulls into bits of pieces.”

He added: “Do you know how many people that have lost their lives on this road? I think the only way to stop all these collateral deaths is to build pedestrian bridges along those strategic locations where people cross mostly. For instance, Mile-Two FESTAC side bus stop needs a bridge, Second Rainbow junction needs a bridge and Otto Woff bus stop needs a bridge as well.”

Recently at Otto Woffe, the media reported a death of middle aged woman killed by a container that skidded off its truck. According to the report, the truck driver braked automatically when it tried to avoid an oncoming bus driving one-way.

The Apapa gridlock has defied all solutions. Deaths and criminal activities along the axis have become collateral damages. Industry experts, especially in the oil and gas sector say until the issue of tank farms clustering at Apapa is addressed, the traffic problem may continue to linger. There are expectations that the incoming government will do something about the situation and return sanity to the road.