June 05, 2014

JAKANDE BUS-STOP, LEKKI-AJAH EXPRESSWAY


Jakande bus-stop along the Lekki-Ajah expressway, Lagos is a very busy bus-stop. The vicinity is densely populated with a Lagos State housing estate, several private estates and shacks. This bus-stop serves Argungi, Osopa- London, Femi Okunnu Estate and the famous Jakande Estate residents of the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State. The residents of this area include the wealthy, rich and lowly placed persons. The rate and number of people crossing at this bus-stop is alarming. It has taken an extreme turn as pedestrians believe they have the right of way and dash across the road regardless of speed of any on-coming vehicle. Did I mention there’s a pedestrian bridge at this bus-stop? Quite shocking is that the presence of LASTMA officials (Lagos State Traffic Management Authority) at this bus stop hasn’t done anything to curb this menace. It’s quite obvious no one enforces the use of the pedestrian bridge as I have witnessed several times where LASTMA officials flag vehicles to a halt to permit people cross the road. It’s almost as though no one remembers there’s a pedestrian bridge at the bus-stop.

Aside the apparent risk involved with people crossing a supposed “highway” and getting knocked down by cars, the reckless abandon of crossing the expressway as though it’s a village street has guaranteed that there’s is a consistent traffic snarl during rush hours. It is quite a hideous task commuting within the hours of 6.20am to 9am and 6.00pm and 9.30pm during work days on this road.

Besides the pedestrians crossing the busy expressway at all hours of the day, we have to contend with the “men in green”, the NURTW officials (touts) who skip between traffic lanes aiming to collect the daily dues from the commercial buses in the mornings. In the evenings, there’s a full blown night market at this bus stop through the indiscriminate display of wares along the pedestrian side-walk by traders and the street hawkers who manoeuvre between cars trying to make a sale.

To state clearly here, I have made a conscious effort of calling the LASTMA customer care numbers and made a complaint. I was told the issue will be addressed, however, its 5 months into the year 2014 and the hold-up at Jakande bus-stop is getting worse by the day. The traffic snarl commuters have to deal with every workday at the Jakande axis is man-made and preventable. 

I will appreciate if anyone can bring to the attention of the relevant department or ministry that can take a cursory look at my observation and hopefully address this menace.

Is there anyone who stays around this axis and has a different opinion?  Please share your experience......... I recall the evening of February 14, 2014 around this same Jakande bus-stop, the road was barricaded by angry youths because a person was knocked down while attempting to cross the expressway. We spent the hours between 7.00pm and 10pm in a gridlock that could have been averted.


12 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I was teased anytime I made the effort to walk the distance and used the pedestrian bridge, because am scared of crossing expressway o! Where there was no bridge, I would wait at a spot for a long time until the road was very free.
    My sistah! The ones experienced from Cele-oshodi to mile 2 nko?
    But the truth is that, many profit from this situation, so lip service would be paid as usual. E kpele.

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    1. I am also scared of crossing highways in Lagos . I lost a secondary school mate right before my eyes and that incident left me scarred for life....I recollect the scene most times when I see people dashing across expressways.

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  3. I absolutely relate to this post because i live close by. Jakande roundabout is one of the busiest bustops on Lekki Epe expressway and its a normal trend for pedestrians to run into cars all the name of crossing the road. In fairness to them, i do not like pedestrian bridges too and i am sure i would do same if i were in their shoes #DontJudgeMe. The only solution is an enforcement of the law.

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    1. If you don't mind me asking....why don't you like using the pedestrian bridge...it might help me understand

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    2. First of all, i am acrophobic and secondly, its always dirty. You will see all sorts of rubbish, the last time i used a pedestrian bridge which was several years ago, i almost stepped on poo.

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  4. We are often too impatient to do the right thing. Needless to count how many lives have been statistically lost as a result of this.

    Efforts were made in the hey days to enforce the 'pedestrian bridge culture' but the euphoria soon wore off and our uniformed men in charge relaxed and turned it into a personal revenue adventure. Wish the tempo was sustained.

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  5. I want to believe something will be done about this soon. If its getting worse, Lagos state government will do something about it sooner of later, as it would turn to a menace, otherwise.

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  6. I know what you mean as I leave further down-Ajah axis- and the traffic situation can be horrendous The civilized thing to do would be to use the pedestrian bridge provided but like Atoskin points out, those bridges are a sight for sore eyes. There's a whole lot involved if this issue must be sorted. Our society is so lawless!

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  7. Missing: (cloths along ibeju lekki)
    Between Sangotedo to Eleko junction and Akodo was where I forgot the cloths in the cab; 13 pairs –ankara, lace, guinea and jalabia and sokoto. Please call this line 08081426979 or 08053523700 if you have useful information. The cloths are not mine. Help me!

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