Traffic jam chokes Lagos as First Lady visits

By Eric Ikhilae and Tajudeen Adebanjo

 

•Mrs Jonathan ... yesterday

How do you know when the First Lady is in town?
A massive traffic jam, sweating commuters and several manhours wasted. So it was in Lagos yesterday.
Lagos Island was groaning under a crippling traffic jam that paralysed business and sent many trekking.
First Lady Patience Jonathan was visiting – to thank women for voting her husband in last year’s election.
Security operatives closed down some sections of roads in the nation’s business and financial capital. The resultant traffic jam extended beyond the Island to Mainland Lagos. It did not subside until early evening.
Dame Jonathan visited the Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, at his palace on Wednesday.
The traffic situation became more difficult in the afternoon as movement became difficult. 
From Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Ahmadu Bello Way (on Victoria Island) through Alfred Rewane Road (formerly Kingsway Road), Awolowo Road (in Ikoyi); Catholic Mission Street, through Igbosere Road and Simpson Street, the situation was the same.
Similar difficulty was witnessed from Apongbon, through Carter Bridge to Western Avenue and Ikorodu Road.
Passers-by also could not continue their journey as human traffic melted with vehicular movement. 
A bid to outsmart one another in the traffic led to minor accidents at Obalende and CMS areas.
There were shattered windscreen on the roads and commuters engaged in hot arguments over who was at fault. 
Many who could not withstand the delay parked their vehicles and resulted to using the motorcycles.
The commercial motorcyclists seized the opportunity to increase fare.
Even the motorcyclists’ efforts to manouvre their way proved difficult.
In most cases, they rode through the walk ways.
Officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), and security agents were helpless as the situation got complex.
LASTMA General-Manager, Mr. Babatunde Edu confirmed that the presence of the First Lady was responsible for the traffic jam. 
He said his officers were working tirelessly to ensure that smooth movement, reduction in travel time and to unlock the congestion.