Danger: Beggars, Traders Threaten Lagos Bridges
BY CHARLES ADINGUPU,GBENGA OLORUNSIWA, OYINDAMOLA LAWAL, JUMOBI ADEGBITE AND KEMI ARUWAJI
SAFETY of lives and avoidance of hindrance to free flow of traffic are major reasons for construction of pedestrian bridges over highways. Despite the number of such bridges in Lagos, many pedestrians still choose the risky option of crossing the expressways, even right under the bridges; ignoring the grave possibilities of being knocked down by fast-moving vehicles.
Investigation by The Guardian shows that the existing pedestrian bridges have been largely converted to uses other than originally intended. The bridges are now sanctuaries for lunatics, selling points for street traders and transport routes for commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada. The cyclists harass the pedestrians, often knocking down some of them in the process. Worse still, some of the bridges are more of death traps than safety infrastructure.
An official of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Brigade at the Ojota bus stop disclosed that about 120 persons are arrested on a daily basis for dashing across the expressway instead of using the pedestrian bridge. The Senior KAI official also disclosed that those caught were asked to pay a fine of N1, 000 for violating traffic laws, while those unable to meet this demand were whisked away to KAI office for prosecution. He pegged the number of arrest made on a monthly basis to 4,500
On the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, the pedestrian bridge at Five Star bus stop seems now to have been highjacked by commercial motorcyclists. At about 5p.m. during the working days of the week, traffic jam builds up around that place. Commercial motorcyclists use the pedestrian bridge to convey people across the road and nearby bus stops at other time of the day. On Tuesdays, the human traffic on the bridge becomes heavy due to the large number of pedestrians struggling with okada riders and traders displaying their wares on the narrow passage.
Also, the pedestrian bridge at Hassan bus stop in Ilasamaja records more traders than that of Five Star. The bridge looks very dirty and unkempt. Underneath, houses of all sorts of garbage ranging from household items to condemned auto parts. People in the neighbourhood probably dumped all of these. Traders on the bridge said all is well with their business as they confessed making good sales. One of them explained that the "Agberos" (traffic toll collectors) are responsible for the collection of monthly dues from traders using the bridge to sell their wares. Again, at Five Star, two destitutes, who also identified themselves as Musa and Taofeek, told The Guardian that they make a lot of money from what they do. They were seen sweeping the rubbish on the bridge. Taofeek, a Yoruba man said he makes N800 per day as gestures from the bridge users.
The pedestrian bridge at Cele bus stop, a pedestrian complained that the railings are rather short. The pedestrian said this is very dangerous as two people suddenly colliding can push one another, and any unfortunate person can tip over and fall down on the road. Most of the people seen running across the highway, said they choose the risky option because the bridge was already congested with traders.
Human traffic on the pedestrian bridge at Anthony bus stop is usually scanty in the early mornings, until about 10 or 11 a.m. The activities of the bridge include trading and begging. Many traders now display their goods on the bridge, in addition to the presence of destitutes that have taken over the platform and the steps. The destitutes sweep the bridge in anticipation of alms from kind pedestrians. Investigations also shows that few commercial motorcyclists ply the pedestrian bridge. On that bridge alone, at the time of visit, there were about 30 traders and between eight to13 destitutes.
A worker cleaning the road beside the bridge confessed that people urinate there when they (the workers) are not around, saying that when they are around, even if people want to, they will not allow them to do that. A FERMA worker, Mrs. Bola Ojo, noted that there are some people who prefer to cross the road, despite the existence of the bridge. At Obanikoro, one of the traders, Samuel Uko, said the bridge is the only place they can use because renting a shop is costly. He claimed that the task force usually disturb them, asking them to pay certain amount. A motorcyclist plying Obanikoro bus stop and its environs revealed that touts and hoodlums have converted the pedestrian bridge to their treasure house. "They harass and intimidate innocent people using the bridge. All the booties collected either by hook or crook are shared on the pedestrian bridge", he said. Strong stench can be felt under the bridge because people urinate there. Despite its good state, beggars there were fewer than those at Anthony.
At Palmgrove, 16 beggars and 15 traders were found on the pedestrian bridge. The place is polluted by the drainage from the nearby Little Saints Orphanage Home. People seem to prefer to cross the road rather than using the bridge because of its bad shape. The bridge at Onipanu is not safe. The metallic frame is rusting, and users can easily be injured if something goes wrong.
A trader at the Palm-Groove area, Mrs.Lola Makinde who criticized the Lagos State government for neglecting the pedestrian bridges in the state. According to her, an old man almost lost his life recently while trying to use the pedestrian bridge at Palm-Groove bus stop but for the kind assistance of passers-by who quickly came to his rescue when the old man slept off the worn out iron sheet used by the people in the neighbourhood to cover a big hole on the bridge. Now, she said traders on the bridge have replaced the iron sheet with plywood. Also, Mr.Tunde Olaosebikan, who works in one of the firms adjacent to the Anthony's pedestrian bridge, lamented that most of the pedestrian bridges in Lagos have been taken over by petty traders and in some instances, outdoor advertising agencies have converted the bridges into billboard stands, adding that Palm-Groove and Onipanu were good examples even in their poor state.
Metallic barriers erected in the middle of the highway at Ojota have not discouraged people from crossing the expressway. Some of the barriers at Ojota and Anthony have been removed to enable pedestrians cross unhindered. Mr. Wale Ajao, a resident of Ogudu-Ojota, however, lamented that the purpose of constructing the pedestrian bridges is no longer being upheld as neither the government concerned about its maintenance, adding that many of them are in dilapidated state.
At Ketu, the pedestrian bridge recently constructed by the Lagos State government has proved that pedestrian bridges in Lagos are mere formalities as residents in the area prefer the risky option of crossing the expressway. According to a food vendor at the Ketu Market, Mr. Emmanuel Ifediba, the regular heavy traffic build up at the Ketu axis was not because of the market but mainly because people prefer crossing the expressway rather than using the pedestrian bridge. "I can say that since the bridge was constructed, most of us have not used it. This truly explains why the heavy traffics build up usually in the mornings to early evenings. Ironically, these recalcitrant pedestrians engaged in this unlawful act under the watchful eyes of the police and other traffic regulating officials who queue at the Ketu bus stop to collect N20 from commercial bus drivers (Danfo drivers)", he said. However, investigation, shows that only very people use the bridge in the mid morning and abandon it in the evening. The railing of the bridge boast of all sorts of banners tied to it. Beggars now populate underneath.
The story is apparently the same with the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Mile 12 Market.
Again, the regular traffic build up in that area tells the story of how both traders and buyers opted for the risky option of crossing the expressway rather than using the pedestrian bridge. Also, the Pedestrian bridge is only being used by hoodlums as a resting place. Under the bridge has been converted to refuse dump site for the traders in the Market and shelter for beggars.
A trader at the Market who simply identifies himself as Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim, said people in the neighbourhood including traders alike abandoned the pedestrian bridge because of the unpleasant experience they had in the past.
"Many traders have been dispossessed of their cash while using the pedestrian bridge. Aside from this, not many of the buyers would want to use the bridge with their wares balanced on their heads. I think it would be too cumbersome to compel someone with a basket of tomatoes on his head to use the bridge. I quite believe that both LASTMA and KAI officials operating in this neighbourhood appreciate this problem. Hence, they don't molest us", he said.
But the Mile 12 pedestrian bridge has become a safe haven for beggars and miscreants. Tattered rags presumably owned by beggars were conspicuously hung on the railings even as used baskets of tomatoes further offend the sight of the passers-by
