The Traffic and The Warden

The Island can be regarded as the working part of Lagos state while the Mainland is the residential part of Lagos. Most times it gets me wondering why most companies are moving to the island. Considering the fact that their workers (or junior workers so to say) will be going through one hell of a journey to and from work everyday. I am a member of the group that believes that so much time in sitting in traffic could reduce your efficiency and output. Leaving the house by 5:45am and get home by 8:00am every working day (my personal experience) is usually what most people go through. In my wild guess, it seems like 85% of Lagossians live on my side of the 3rd Mainland Bridge.The Traffic situation of Lagos state is not the worst of all to say the least. It is very obvious that major cities of the world experience traffic even though most of them have the Road network to take care of that. The worst of it all occurs at the slightest instance of rain. Most times I wonder if this is because most people who were  supposed to move could not move at their usual time due to the rain; or the traffic warders have left their posts (of course they are humans) due to the rain; or because don't see the need to obey traffic rules and lights because their is no officer in sight; or even because some left their clothes outside and their windows open (a bit of humor) are are rushing to get home before a lot of damage is done; or probably they live in a flood prone area and cannot afford to be outside their house when it rains other wise their properties will be floating towards the bus stop to come and greet them when they arrive. Be it as it is already, I am yet to get a grip of the cause of traffic in this "Hustle town" called Lagos.

Nonetheless, I give it up for the people who work so hard ensure that we the road users and commuters alike are able to use the road against all odds. First and foremost, the effort of the state government towards managing traffic is highly commendable given the number of people and vehicles in this town. Sometimes, driving through Obalende (Obey-London) and then towards Marina, or even on 3rd Mainland Bridge and Mile 2, and taking an absent minded count of the automobiles either parked in garages or even on the road, I wonder how these vehicles are able to make it through the roads of Lagos State every morning and evening. 

As early as when i leave the house every day, there are already officers of the law who are out there controlling traffic and making sure that the road is useable. On my trip back home, these people (may not the same people) are still there doing this same job. I can imagine myself doing this type of Job everyday of my life. I would probably have been bored due to the monotonous nature of the job. Even being on that spot from morning to evening could get me frustrated and restive as well as irritated. But he it as it is, these men/women keep at it, and despite how much the road users want to maintain their right, or even have their way, these people try as much as possible to keep their cool. It really is not all cases but I do notice. The picture above, is not intended to mock the Nigerian Police force or even the woman in it. I came across it and I had a whole lot of things going through my mind. I told myself; We all expect these people to be awake while we sleep, to be able to meet a free flowing traffic whenever we get to the road, to be able to get to that busy junction and pass without being stuck. Yet these people are humans, they have feelings, they get tired, they get frustrated, they get hungry (do they even go to eat??), they have kids (whom they should take to school, be there in their graduation parties and games), they have family responsibilities too.

I agree with you they are paid to do this job. No doubt  but shout out to all of  us who are paid to do our jobs and who do it diligently like these guys. The definitely have their bad side no doubt but shout out to my fellow Nigerians who cannot do anything right without being compelled to.

With this post I am giving my shout out to everyone out there who does anything everyday to ensure that my journey to and from Island and Mainland is smooth and most times safe. To all those who step out of their cars to control traffic, to the Local Government employed traffic warders, to the LATSMA, Road Safety, Nigerian Police, the Disabled and even the VIO (eventhough I do not know what exactly your Job Description is). Shout out to you all and God Bless you. More Power to your elbows

This is your Kudos but trust me your knocks too is on its way.

Peace Out!