The summit has been largely successful in the past, evident with adopted programs listed in past communiqués. The summit is necessary to position Lagos, the main commercial city of Nigeria, to contribute more towards Nigeria’s long term economic target.

Lagos is with a population nearing 20million, and is ailed by burgeoning growth that is quicker than accommodative developments. Lagos is clearly working in certain areas, but there are others that seem so complex. The mass transportation / traffic situation mix is a big challenge to the state and solutions directed at them are not enough.

Transportation is amongst topics up for discussion at the summit and will be laid again for solutions. Transportation in Lagos via road is a problem that needs a summit to itself. Traffic, rudderless mass transit operators, insufficient law enforcement officers and lack of adequate infrastructure makes road transportation in Lagos a mega challenge.

Joining all the elements of road transport in Lagos for solution may result to achieving nothing, but having each element studied and prepared for solution before deployment, will see transportation become more comfortable, and engagement-friendly than we have it.

Traffic will probably be the first and the best start, with solutions lined up and pursued to scale it down, before others like restructuring sitting arrangements in mass transits and queues are restored for people awaiting buses. Smart traffic technologies will help in traffic solutions, but enforcement in our situation requires that sites are manned to nab and correct offenders.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is the gateway to transportation and related issues in Lagos. Their experience, encounters and reports can give a face to restructuring transportation in Lagos. Restructuring LASTMA is the beginning, before LASTMA can effectively plunge traffic and restructure transportation in Lagos.

LASTMA is doing a good job and their contribution in seen in ease of traffic under different conditions. LASTMA’s good to the public in their service is usually contradicted by excesses of some officials who get in the news for bad reasons. Some of these and experience with road user show that certain things are lacking for those folks, with respect to regular trainings, bottom-up communication and welfare.

LASTMA needs to be catered for with some of the submission in the research draft titled Lagos: Short Term Traffic Solutions for the Long Term. Some of the submissions include a 12 months expansion and reorganization that will engender a new LASTMA that is born to handle evolving traffic in Lagos.

The LASG have the power for this, with a good start to come from its 6th  economic summit later this month. Presentations of this forte and more that present a way through will be needful, with solutions that are exactly applicable to the environment.

With a restructured LASTMA, and some more programs, traffic will slowly wind down across all routes in the state. After the projected traffic-reduction success, transportation can now be laid to be restructured. Mass transit buses will be required to carry a maximum number of sitters per row, as applicable to the kind of bus.

Mass transits buses and passenger-seeking cabs will also be required to always drive on the service lane, because of their fitful stops. Standings in big buses will be allowed if limited to a specified number, no matter the crowd at the park. Buses will be required to ‘look good’ to comfy passengers and kill the wretch looks it makes Lagos wear in some photography.

Due collectors for mass transit buses will also need to be organized in the way they collect their dues, and how to position themselves, because some of their assaults result in rashness of bus operators. There is also the need to have more traffic signs that will automatically instruct operators of dos and don’ts on routes across the state.

These suggestions and more are necessities if Lagos is thinking to reform road transportation. Infrastructure and enforcement will aid this, and bet is on LASTMA to power it. A smaller taskforce group within LASTMA can oversee this, but will need to be the new LASTMA.

Talking transportation at the summit without engaging some of the realities presented here may leave action to another future, because 2012 is one relative to the past and presents an opportunity to make some difference. Lagos can overcome its transport / traffic challenges, if willing.

AUTHOR: David Stephen
URL: http://www.trpns.com
E-MAIL: Stephen [at] trpns.com

Please pause and wonder what Lagos traffic will look like in 3 – 5 years if things are left this way, with hopes still placed on more mass transit buses, rail transport and water transport. These ‘solutions’ will help, but the root of the problem will remain on most routes because the Lagos traffic problem has escalated beyond certain believed solutions.

Traffic in Lagos is seen as normal and most people schedule their movements with traffic in mind. Radio stations and the social media are helping to tell traffic on certain routes, during peak hours, giving an idea of what to expect or a lighter route to follow.

But the biggest amazement is that a problem as big as Lagos traffic, has no attention, no framework, and no outlook –publicly disclosed– for solution. Traffic is everywhere in Lagos and you just wonder, is it to be permanently endured or is there something that may happen someday to ease it everywhere.

The first solution to Lagos traffic and mostly ignored is the Press, the people privileged with being heard on a mass scale. The attention they can throw to potential solutions and how they can divert focus from stories of everything on the problem to elements of adoptable solutions will show their strength as part of the solution.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials are major solutions but still ignored. LASTMA officials are helpful to the situation, but need a reorganization that will see them contain the challenge quicker and better. More officials are needed on the team to see them split within distances on pikes during heavy traffic.

More officials will also have them split to alternative routes and help those on shifts work smartly, because recurrent overtime may lead to dawdling.  LASTMA officials should be trained, not like the orientation they get on entry, or symposiums and forums held to charge them, but perennial training that consists of situations from the field and how best they should handle it.

LASTMA needs serious help, if it needs to meet the objective that lead to its establishing, and the Lagos government should have them as priority. Wooing the private sector to help may be necessary, but it is solely the responsibility of the Lagos Government because it will have an effect on commerce, hence IGR in the state.

Security checkpoints inducing traffic in Lagos are problems lying with an ignored solution. Vary your blocks, is a message constabularies should remember, once they notice that their block is a source of traffic during peak hours. Intelligence on their job can help them nab suspected criminals, without blocking the road, stifling the doings of traffic lights and wardens.

Giving priority to construction of alternative routes, deployment of more smart traffic technologies and involving more tools to punish traffic offenders are some of the ignored solutions for traffic in Lagos. Solutions to Lagos traffic are more and with all to table, the situation can be contained.

The Lagos state government may need a committee, for Lagos traffic solution, interested organizations may also hold a forum for Lagos traffic solution where everything will be assessed and direction on how to go will emerge. Nothing, beyond the power of Lagos state government can induce traffic – even in Apapa, if willing to fight it thoroughly. So it is with the government to look at ignored solutions and see how traffic will be eased.

Related Links:

• Lagos Traffic: Short term Solutions for The Long Term
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Nigeria

AUTHOR: David Stephen
URL: http://www.trpns.com
E-MAIL: Stephen [at] trpns.com

The next summit should hold around early 2012; effects and additions from the just concluded UN climate change conference should guide direction for talks there and the position of Nigeria before the UN summit for 2012 in Qatar will be partly decided too. Climate change is gradually ascending the list of government concerns in Nigeria and may become a factor for standards in building and construction projects.

Nigeria is predisposed to unwanted effects in weather anomalies because of our geographical position and closeness to sea water. Some of the effects of climate change in Nigeria are getting more intense of late, this presents that infrastructural development in adaptation is taken.

Mitigation of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions is also necessary as Nigeria is the biggest polluter in Africa after South Africa. A major share of Nigeria’s emission come from vehicles and is worsened by the road traffic situation. Lagos, Rivers and Ogun states record a high number of road traffic during different times and days of the week. 

Traffic is a big problem in Nigeria not just because of global warming but because it contributes to insecurity, it reduces the quality of air in the near environment and stiffens flexibility of engagements by loss of man hours. Traffic is what many in cities especially Lagos have come to accept; should this really be?

Traffic as one of the ‘major’ problems in Lagos is not getting enough debate time for likely solutions but leave traffic reports available via the web or from radio stations at rush hours as the only solution. Lagos has a traffic agency  ̶  Lagos State Traffic Management Authority  ̶  LASTMA, with responsibilities to manage the Lagos traffic situation.

LASTMA is a major solution to road traffic problems in Lagos and are closer solutions for the situation than rail and water ways generally suggested. There are around 5000 LASTMA officials presently, to manage hundreds of roads for traffic issues for 14 – 16 hours daily.

The workforce of LASTMA should be increased, with about one-fifth of their current staff capacity added every quarter to ensure that more officials are stationed at more points  ̶  for major and alternative routes  ̶  and to make their duty period flexible enough for officials to work smartly and channel more energy on observation.

Training and enhancements should also be given to these officials so that they can out-perform traffic volute encountered daily. LASTMA should not be dumped and abandoned as the government and private sector in a serious move for traffic solution can see opportunities with them.

Crowd sourcing route-specific suggestions from road users will also help in traffic reduction on peculiar routes because suggestions are coming from those who use and understand that route. Further solutions like prioritizing road maintenance and repair for major & alternative routes, traffic technology deployment and varying of security checks will help greatly.

If Lagos decides on the traffic situation, it cannot escape solution. Works in place for some routes include rail and water ways, these solutions are progress in their own respect towards development and diversification. Attention and hopes can’t be kept with these for Lagos traffic solution.

Keeping Lagos traffic problems as a major issue for discussion in the next climate change summit will see solutions look upon it and shove Lagos to move in a direction to cut millions of tons of carbon over a given period.

Energy efficiency is one focus of the Lagos Government with a ministry dedicated to it and shifts in power generation options for selected projects. There are many options towards the energy efficiency and alternative power generation for a city like Lagos with her peculiarities.

Landfill gas for electricity generation is possible in Lagos if adjustments are made to Lagos landfills to generate and harness it. Lagos can also deploy solar power as a standby power source for selected locations in the state. Biofuel may also be a near term plans for Lagos in partnership with other states or the federal government.

The Lagos state energy ministry should seek collaboration with other states or the federal government for projects that will be beneficial to the state. The ministry can also initiate certain projects outside Lagos due to the appropriateness of location but will channel the benefits back to the state.

The annual harmattan wind that blows during the dry season in Nigeria is an opportunity to strengthen the hydropower electric reservoirs. Since the hydropower electric reservoirs are fairly draining off, harmattan winds can be harnessed to bolster their efficiency.

Jatropha biofuels, sugarcane ethanol production, road-railer, wave energy development and carbon dioxide removal aspect of geoengineering are projects and research the Lagos ministry of energy should enter with partners that may be the federal government, other state governments or the private sector to see the state benefit from this new trend of global development.

There is a lot to do and so much to say, budget constriction and tight fiscal rules does not prevent workable and affordable plans for Lagos climate change moves. As Lagos state prepares for a major climate change summit, these subjects should be put to table, options should be explored around them and partners should be sought so as to kickoff action in post-summit moves. Climate change solution with Lagos is possible. 

Related Links:

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation in Nigeria
• Lagos: Short term traffic solutions for the long term
• Wave Energy Research and Development

AUTHOR: David Stephen
URL: http://www.trpns.com
E-MAIL: Stephen [at] trpns.com

Lagos road users are probably used to it and most solutions generally suggested are either not workable or are capital projects that cannot be afforded in the near term. Lagos rail project is on and the government is also working on water transport to take the burden off the road.

These solutions are necessary and extremely useful because of subtractions that will be taken from road traffic along those routes. The population of Lagos is rising so is the number of vehicles on the road for private and public use; road expansion around most routes in Lagos is unlikely making future eventualities for the traffic situation in Lagos mired in a negative outlook.

Traffic solutions may not be government’s priority towards development but it is so needed that other solutions considered may be developed only to be lost with traffic-related issues. Government has so far tried for solutions but should rigorously do more.

Moving ahead with Lagos peculiarities towards traffic solution will help the realization of the objective quicker and sustainably. All suggestions for solution should come to table but will be placed in order of feasibility and sustainability before approval for execution.

Simple overlooked solutions to complex capital solutions should be considered for the present and towards future thinking for the situation. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) overlooked by many when asked about traffic solutions is important for traffic both for now and in future.

May be a restructured and ‘expanded’ LASTMA to come in a program for new and existing officials in 12 – 18 months will see ‘overlooked’ LASTMA as a major solution for the Lagos traffic situation. Smart traffic technologies seen as expensive and capital-intensive used in advanced countries for similar solutions will also be considered for the short and long term.

Common suggestions like 4^th mainland bridge, more rail lines and advancement of water transport carriers will also be pursued as Public-Private Partnership projects or solely as government project in line with solutions for the situation. These suggestions however cannot be used in all the routes in the state, and for adequate planning and budget constraints, simple solutions are more likely in the near term.

Route specific solutions, prohibition of ‘the normal’ as habits of motorists within routes and situations, change of focus for law enforcement officials in the state and more will help in their own way for road traffic solution on the short term. Deployment of these simple solutions will come after studies of effects (both positive and negative), adequate information for the public will also follow through various means to reach majority.

Lagos: short term traffic solutions for the long term is a research draft that submits some of the simple solutions required to save Lagos from its peculiar traffic situation in Nigeria. These solutions can be pursued and achieved; they can be sustained and will not just help the present, but will save the future from traffic uncertainties.

Action should follow the draft in programs that can start now to around 12 – 18 months; discussion in forums and conferences towards this will be necessary too. So with these, traffic situation will be different from the way we have it now.

Re;ated links:

• Lagos: short term traffic solution for the long term
• Lagos traffic solution discussion forum

AUTHOR: David Stephen
URL: http://www.trpns.com
E-MAIL: Stephen [at] trpns.com

Lagos traffic solution can workably come away from impression that only rail line, 4^th mainland bridge and water ways will save the situation. With the way things are and what projection in population submits, Lagos traffic can be battled using all options available.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is the key to most traffic problems in Lagos. They’ve been responsible for ease in years past until now and are the answers some may point as the problems. LASTMA officials work round the clock and are stationed in several spots around the state.

During times of heavy traffic, they are noticed for controls and efforts to keep traffic flow. Certain motorists however have issues with them that dwarf their solutions and crown these issues. This may be for any reason with blame sometimes going either way; people should always remember that this relatively young agency is a solution that will improve.

Having more LASTMA staff is crucial to traffic solutions; this will ensure that more officials are present within meters from routes with heavy traffic; it will also ensure that more officials are available at alternative routes for controls to avoid inroad there. More officials will further give flexibility in work-shift and ensure that all officials are available for routine training based on updated information, recommendations and extra skills for the job. This training is necessary and will come in a syllabus recommending best practices from diverse experience and working situation of officials generally.

In the minds of road users are ideas they know that when applied on certain routes will ease traffic along. These ideas sometimes come in conversation with another fellow during traffic or when distraught in protracted traffic and thoughts for solution from the obvious pops.

These suggestions no matter how simple or complex will be necessary for solutions at present or in future. Those suggestions can also come as minor solutions to support and make a major solution applied work. Harnessing this pool of suggestion from several minds that see the situation differently is an effort in a positive direction.

With promise of prompt action and a restructuring of what may be tagged a “New LASTMA” many will submit suggestions via SMS, web and mobile platform as provided by LASTMA for this. Format for submission will include name (optional), suggestion, local government where the road/route is located and the suggestion.

This will go to a database especially with the local government name provided / the street name; in case one is unsure of either of this. Attending further to each submission will ensure that the route the user submits is archived with that solution.

It is surely not binding for all suggestions to be implemented, but every submission will be given a thorough look for placement as a long / short term solution or major / support solution. On a route where expansion is unlikely, a billboard asking for suggestions and submission will see people submit suggestion from everyday experience on that route to avoid slightest addition to traffic.

LASTMA officials on duty will surely submit solutions in a new phase of communication that drags agency management to officials. Some suggestions will undergo verification by officials posted there or by those from the office sent to see extra solutions that can be applied aside the crowd sourced suggestions.

For Lagos, where security is important, several checks are around the city for security operatives to prevent and punish crime. Blocks to ensure that all vehicles are checked before passing sometimes contribute to traffic at certain routes and times dropping efforts of control personnel or technologies to minimum.

Varying their blocks at certain times may be necessary and finding the best site to mount new points will also contribute to their effectiveness for thorough check of suspected criminals to avoid stanching vehicular flow and haste per check.

Informing the security authorities of this will have them input more technologies for their duties and prepare ahead to change their style. Additional traffic suggestions include prioritizing repairs or construction of roads that are alternative routes to major roads; making parking illegal at certain times and use of sign posts that warn road users of certain offence common to cause traffic on that particular route.

Adopting smart traffic technologies everywhere can come for Lagos as planned for future budgets but remain an important solution for the traffic situation taking the burden off officials for solutions technologies can provide and also help officials observe more and improve with time.

Lagos traffic solution involves these suggestions and more, a presentation submits some of the above in further details. Towards this, interested individuals or corporations can get in to assist the agency with training and the web solution. A forum where this draft and more will be presented to drive action and plans for the future may also be necessary in some weeks from now.

Read More: Lagos: Short term traffic solutions for the long term

AUTHOR: David Stephen
URL: http://www.trpns.com
E-MAIL: Stephen [at] trpns.com