Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Floods, bad roads grind Lagos to a halt

AllAfrica.com via the Vanguard (Nigeria): Lagos, the nation's economic capital and financial hub has been paralysed by intractable traffic snarl-up, worsened by heavy downpour witnessed in the last few days. One of the city's main arteries, the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway which connects the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with two of the nation's busiest seaports -- Apapa Quays and Tin Can Island Port has failed at several locations.

The worst points are on Tin Can Island itself, at Ibafon (Coconut Bus-stop to Sunrise), at Berger, and at the turn-off to Lagos-Badagry Expressway at Mile II, where motorists paddle their vehicles through flood waters.

Other failed sections are at Rainbow Bus Stop, stretching forth towards Sanya for several hundred metres. This spot has particularly worsened the agonies of motorists in the last few days, with traffic backing up for many kilometres and throughout the day.

It is also the scene of ghastly crashes as unsuspecting motorists speed into the craters at night. The other major failed section is at Itire (Berliet Bus Stop). The traffic situation has continued to worsen as the heavy downpour enters its fourth day….

1 comment:

Josie Lebile'-Holo said...

The Ikotun/ Igando local Council and the Lagos state government need to act urgently to alleviate the suffering of residents of White Disu Crescent in Ikotun from flooding. The untold suffering recently experienced as a result of flooding was made even more dire by the lack of electricity since 1st of May in the area. Drainage infrastructure and roads levelling need to be top on the Council/ state government agenda!