A new study has revealed that Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, is losing a staggering N4tn annually due to severe traffic congestion.
The study, titled “Behavioural Causes of Traffic Congestion in Lagos,” was conducted by the Danne Institute for Research and funded by the Bank of Industry and Africa Finance Corporation.
The report, presented on Wednesday in Lagos, attributes the traffic congestion to a combination of behavioral factors, including poor road infrastructure, disregard for traffic laws, the presence of agberos at bus stops, and buses picking up passengers indiscriminately.
“Areas like Ajah, Etiosa, and Apapa bear the brunt, necessitating urgent measures such as nighttime road construction, creation of alternative routes during construction, and strict enforcement of traffic laws,” the report noted.
Franca Ovadje, Executive Director of the Danne Institute for Research, highlighted the significant economic and social impact of Lagos’ traffic woes.
She emphasized that the city’s 21 million residents are not realizing their full potential due to the time and resources lost in traffic jams.
The report suggests that doubling the population in developing countries should result in a 5 to 6 percent growth in productivity.
However, Lagos is not experiencing this trend due to the crippling effects of traffic congestion.
Respondents to the study proposed solutions that focus on road construction, repairs, and maintenance, along with a ban on agberos and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. The report also advocates for increased deployment of LASTMA officials, police, and even soldiers to manage traffic effectively.
