Lagos residents have flooded social media to vent their frustrations over the hours-long gridlock caused by ongoing road repairs. The closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina-bound) for maintenance and rehabilitation, announced by the Federal Government last month, began on April 1.
However, the disruptive effects of the closure have caught many Lagosians off guard as the city has been plunged into a traffic nightmare.
A person with the username, @uzoart, said: “😭😭😭😭 Yall I trekked from Ikoyi to VI with my suitcases. Thats my driver. Thunder punish Tinibu”
For some, the gridlock is seen as yet another symptom of Nigeria’s larger governance challenges.
A popular online doctor with the username, @OurFavOnlineDoc, posted: “Nobody thought to repair the bridge on a weekend- to reduce impact on workers. Nobody thought to announce it ahead- so people can plan what to do.
“Nobody thought to ensure alternative routes- for people to use.
“The result: 14hrs traffic on a route that takes 30mins.
“Bad governance destroys lives.”
Oseni Rufai, a Nigerian journalist with the username, @ruffydfire, gave a biting critique: “Mega city, Mega incompetence in traffic management.”
Other users seemed to favour traffic issues over worse circumstances by giving a pragmatic opinion: @seyedele typed, “Bridge repairs are important and urgent sha.
“Make God no allow person see bridge disaster. The inconvenience of traffic is infinitely better than that.”
