By Dotun Ibiwoye
THE traffic gridlock across Lagos on the eve of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration last Friday was unprecedented, as it paralyed commercial activities in the metropolis and neighbouring states.

What made the logjam unique was that several people started their holiday on the road.

The traffic was witnessed in Surulere, everywhere on the Island, Agege, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikorodu, Lekki- Ajah axis, Third Mainland Bridge, and Oyingbo and Yaba areas.

Many claimed the logjam was from the Berger/Mowe axis where there was a religious activity coupled with the people travelling to their villages to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.

Negative impact

Unknown to the motorists, trying to beat the rush inspired even more chaos. The Fender to bumper gridlock which lasted for several hours had a negative impact on the people from all walks of life.

Recently, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, said that efforts aimed at solving the traffic problem that has caused nightmares for residents, port users and commuters were being frustrated by Federal Government agencies.

Speaking about the Apapa end of the offensive traffic, Opeifa said; “The problem in Apapa and the solution are known. We are not asking for solution we are only asking for actions.Traffic gridlock has completely hampered access and exit of the ports.”

According to Efeturi Maxwell who lives in Obalende: “Everybody wants to have a car to maintain (their) social class. This is one of the major problems that we have in Nigeria. How do you explain the situation of a man who earns N30,000 per month and wants to own a car at all cost? The roads were not built for this amount of cars in Nigeria. In Lagos the people should start riding bicycles.”

For Adewunmi Odunlami: “ I was coming from Ikorodu to Ikotun on that fateful day. I was in the traffic for over eight hours. I slept and woke up twice. What made it worse was that I was the head of the family and everyone was waiting for me to make preparations for Sallah the next day. ‘’I don’t know what could happen if this kind of traffic logjam occurs in two consecutive days. It was really a bad day.”

For Usman Abdulahi: “ When will the government start using the water transportation fully? This state is surrounded by water and we are still going through this horrible situation.”?”