We have in the past communicated three series of this article intimating the public on the outlook of the traffic situation in Lagos metropolis.
The intention behind communicating the article remains to acquaint the general public with the knowledge of how the question of traffic jam began in Lagos and by extension made the government of the day proffer a lasting solution to avert the menace caused by the incessant traffic jam. This episode is the 4th in the series. It speaks volume of how Banbangida’s administration faired in its tenure On the start of the regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), the Nigerian populace was jubilant in ecstasy of a new government that would change their supposed tyrannical and hard government of the Buhari/Idiagbon regime.
However, within a short period that the regime started, the opposite was witnessed, as different programs like MAMSER, SAP, and Better Life for Rural Dwellers, which the larger percentage of the people did not benefit from, were introduced. Meanwhile, since it is not the general performance of any administration that is the concern of this article, but, the concern is how different administration faired as per the Lagos traffic situation. Hence, the regime of general Babangida as it started in August, 1985, met Lagos as the Nigeria’s capital city.
Although work had been on in Abuja as the new federal capital, but, all the formal federal structures in Lagos were still in place. Within a short period of time that IBB administration commenced operation, the closed Mainland Express Road which had been one of the roads designed by Gowon’s administration to combat the menace of traffic germ in Lagos was re-opened for construction in order to bring down the heavy traffic situation on the other main roads within the metropolis. Work immediately began on its construction. It was this express road that has the longest bridge built on it as it crossed the lagoon at its voluminous course. The bridge takes its source from Obalende/Adeniji Adele end and ended as it linked Oworonshoki route.
Hence, it linked the Island with mainland via Oworonshoki/Ggagada and Anthony village road. And, by 1990 when the road was completed and commissioned for use, it was christened Third Mainland Bridge Route. Lest I forget, there were two coup de tat staged and meant to oust the Babangida administration. The first coup was in1987, staged by some officers of the Nigerian Army led by General Manman Vatsa and the second one of 1990, was led by Major Gideon Okar, but unfortunately, the two coups became abortive as they were crushed by another set of officers of the Nigerian Army. Hence, the Babangida administration continued its work as planned and scheduled. On the commissioning of third mainland bridge route, it served as a panacea to the traffic logjam experienced especially linking the Island with the Mainland.
The congestion was reduced to the barest minimum then. But, the reduction was later faulted by the increase in population occasioned by the influx of people into Lagos. However, there was no major road rehabilitation or construction after the commissioning of third mainland bridge route until the political era of 1991 started. Between 1991 and 1993, there was political logjam in the land, the conducted general election of 1993 was annulled, an “Interim Government” headed by Chief Ernest Sonekan, christened “Child of Circumstance” was put in place. But, the political situation was so deranged that every aspect of living was affected. Hence, the question with traffic germ had gathered momentum. By November 1993, a palace coup was staged by Late General Sani Abacha, when the political imbroglio was becoming too difficult to settle.
That intervention of the military then was christened, “Child of Necessity.” The administration of General Sani Abacha did not record any spectacular performance on roads and the traffic situation, since what the generality of people wanted was the institution of true and thorough democracy. Please, I appeal to you all, not to be bored by the longevity of this article, it is meant to sensitize the public of the happenings in the traffic situation in Nigeria as it affects Lagos, the economic capital. Perhaps, this could touch the hearts of the decision makers. Therefore wet your appetite for the next episode.