Lagos’ “death bridges” for pedestrians

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The suffering of commuters trying to cross expressways because pedestrian bridges are broken or vandalized is beautifully shown by Gboyega Alaka.

The purpose of pedestrian bridges, or footbridges as they are more often known in Nigeria, is to provide a safe means of crossing swiftly moving motorways. However, when these bridges are intentionally broken or when they are damaged and left unrepaired, commuters face a serious risk of being killed or seriously injured when attempting to cross expressways.

The pedestrian bridge at the Ijesha Bus Stop and the one at the Aswani/Five-Star Bus-stop along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway are two typical instances of such bridges that have turned into death traps.

The pedestrian bridge at Ijesha Bus Stop, a significant bus stop that serves inhabitants of Surulere and certain areas of Okota, is damaged; a section of it collapsed as a result of an impact from an articulated vehicle that struck it around three or four months ago. As a result, the bridge is now broken and worthless, forcing commuters to sprint across the ten-lane motorway in direct competition with moving automobiles and at great personal risk.

According to an older woman named Ajoke Ojo who sells herbs at the bus stop, the bridge has been in a dilapidated state for more than four months.

“A heavy trailer collided with the bridge in March of this year, causing damage to it. Since then, commuters have had no choice but to sprint across the street, which is an extremely risky activity given how quickly cars travel.

Ojo claimed that numerous people had died as a result, in addition to an untold number breaking bones and others suffering permanent disabilities.

Ojo responded when asked how frequently accidents happen, “I cannot give you a number, but it is a common occurrence. However, if I were to estimate how many lives were lost, I would say four. There may be others, but those are the ones I have personally heard about or seen. I always ask God to spare me from seeing that because it is not a pretty sight.

Before the bridge collapsed, commuters used it almost religiously, especially since it is a rapid express and it helped them avoid accidents, she said.

Therefore, Ojo is pleading with the appropriate government authorities to act quickly to repair the collapsed footbridge because it is even affecting them as traders, as commuters no longer get off at the bus stop but rather walk to the Cele Bus Stop, where they would take tricycles or bikes to get to their various destinations.

Muhammed Sagir, who sells and fixes watches close to the broken bridge, backed up Ojo’s story.

“As I sit here, I have seen at least four or five persons hit by fast moving vehicles,” Sagir remarked in reference to the number of fatalities. While I haven’t seen any of them pass away, I have seen them be brought to the hospital after suffering a broken limb or skull. I am unable to comment on what transpired next.

Both Ojo and Sagir responded that the Lord’s Chosen Church on the opposite side of the expressway organizes police and other traffic personnel to control the traffic so that their members can cross whenever they have programs when asked if there is any effort being made to help people cross.

Then they claimed that everyone was on their own.

The lack of cooperation by drivers, according to a female federal road safety official stationed at the foot of the bridge at the time of this reporter’s arrival, has made it impossible for them to control the traffic for commuters. She pointed to the sped-up cars and said, “These people are animals,” speaking with apparent annoyance. They never cease.

But she added that they continue to make what little assistance they can to the passengers, particularly if the vehicles are far away. “On such circumstances, we swiftly assist the young and the elderly in crossing.”

She offered that their employer, whom she assumed would have reported the matter to the proper authority, had been informed of the incident.

Vandals leave the Aswani bridge barren.

Along the same Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, at the Aswani/Five Star Bus-Stop, there is a report of intentional vandalism by aluminum thieves.

The result of their evil deeds, as this reporter saw, is a completely deserted pedestrian bridge that now poses a fatal risk. Only the very brave will muster the courage to use it because they are afraid of falling off.

The number of pedestrians who crossed the bridge during the reporter’s half-hour of observation could have been counted on the tips of his fingers.

The vandals typically operate at night, according to a vulcaniser who worked directly beneath the bridge but asked to remain anonymous.

Typically, they do it at night. Of course, no one would dare to conduct such a thing in the open. Since this is a non-residential area, it normally gets abandoned by 9 o’clock in the evening, giving the vandals complete opportunity to commit their heinous crime. Typically, when we arrive in the morning, we discover that a part has been removed. They carried on in this manner until they had removed all of the railing. They would have removed the concrete and pillars as well if they had the resources or a market for it.

“As it is, only the most brave can use it due to a fear of falling; as a result, the frequency of incidents on this axis has grown. Here, accidents occur frequently.

“The result of the metal thieves’ behavior is that people are now afraid to use the bridge, as they complain of dizziness and fear of falling off the bridge,” claimed another young guy who operates a lottery booth nearby known as “Baba Ijebu.” I have a fear of using the bridge, even though I am a guy. The other day, a woman was crossing the street when she suddenly started to feel dizzy from the height and the speeding car below. She needed assistance to get through.

He claimed that because there is no security in the area after dark, vandals are allowed to do their crimes.

“Once the local employees and traders leave, the area is completely abandoned. The bad guys will even occasionally attack traders. One of my employees had also seen the robbery of her fiancé. I too have experienced theft. Therefore, nobody even wants to remain late.

Therefore, he urged prompt repair of the damaged bridge as well as the placement of security guards nearby.