THERE are indeed useful lessons from the recent flooding in parts of Lagos and the attendant chaotic traffic situation!

The flooding created by the large volume of water discharged from Oyan Dam couple with the effect of Climate Change completely submerged the road at Ajegunle and created traffic hiccups for motorists and other roads users along Mile 12 and Ikorodu axis.

As a result of the flooding, residents of Ikorodu, in particular and other neighbourhoods along the axis had hectic moments moving over to Lagos and returning home.

Undoubtedly, the situation provided a vivid indication for the immense challenges in an emerging megacity given the peculiarities of the terrain in Lagos with the attendant effects of global warming.

More importantly, the situation provided the needed opportunity for Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to rededicate his passion for dynamic leadership as demonstrated by his visit.

Notwithstanding, one clear picture that emerged from the recent experience is that the challenges of mega city place enormous responsibilities not only on the government, but also on many community stakeholders and indeed all citizens without exception.

Mega cities according to the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – International (IDEA) are characterised by rapidly growing population in excess of 10 million in addition to meeting the challenges of “local community self-control, administrative management, transportation, socio-economic inequality, and growth and development, especially in Africa and Asia – where urbanisation is greatest – but less so in other regions such as Eastern Europe or Latin America, where most of the urbanisation has already occurred”.

This assertion precisely underscores the peculiar responsibilities at the door-steps of governmental agencies in Lagos State particularly, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

In realisation of this, the government has taken a number of steps aimed at structural and institutional repositioning that not only befits the status of a megacity but also meets emerging global urbanisation standards and trends. Despite this, however, it should be expected that the challenges would become even more daunting.

This is precisely a price worth paying for the wonderful dreams conceived for the mega city in terms of socio-economic prospects of the new Lagos that is gradually unfolding.

It is recognised that by some inexplicable designs, Lagos has had more than its fair share of the tests and grills that have served to redefine governance in Nigeria. With more than a million vehicles plying roads across Lagos metropolis daily; transiting over three million residents across locations as well as thousands of others either moving out or moving into the metropolis, the readiness of LASTMA to cope with the challenges of making Lagos free from nagging traffic situation is definitely a serious governance issue.

Happily, transportation challenges in Lagos have not just been accorded well-thought-out policies and programmes, but are also open to gradual appraisals and consistent improvements. It is, therefore, in the light of this that the recent flood-induced traffic gridlock has become more or less a wake-up call for much more concerted efforts and actions from government as well as the need for increased consciousness and awareness amongst the populace.

The lessons from the recent incident serve as clarion call for gradual and consistent shift, amongst the citizens, from parochial to participant culture in relation to roles and responsibilities of individuals and corporate groups; particularly in the collective desires to make our roads free from perennial traffic chaos.

Although the traffic situation resulting from the flooding has since returned to normal, the lessons learnt however remain instructive. How can a repeat of such obviously undesirable and needless experience be forestalled in the nearest future?

How readily could LASTMA and other agencies cope with the challenge of perennial flooding which appears inevitable in view of the reality of global warming coupled with the terrain in Lagos?

If it is likely that the recent incident might be a peculiar feature of the emerging mega city, are citizens fully aware that ability to adapt to and cope with the consequences of natural occurrences (or even disasters) places enormous responsibilities on everybody and not just the government and its agencies?

As noted by a resident in the heat of the flooding, the number of vehicles on the roads demonstrated a huge gap in enlightenment towards pro-active measures that could help foster adaptation and mitigation in such circumstances.

According to him utilising public transportation such as BRT buses to and from Ikorodu, for instance, would have greatly ameliorated the ugly situation by significantly reducing the number of private vehicles on the road.

Mr. Laja THOMAS is a  staff of Vanguard Newspapers.