It's been exactly a year since my last post! Can you believe even I have not been to this blog in over 2 months?! So i can imagine how many readers have come and even posted comments. Wow!! So much for online presence.

Anyway so much has happened in Lagos since the last post and so much seems to be happening too. In areas that may grab commuters attention great things ARE happening. Road construction is still on-going in various parts of Lagos, there's some drainage work and the "greening" of Lagos in other areas.

Of course we cannot forget our "officials" and "officers" (I was told there is a great difference as regards "road work"). Yes, our officials are working hard to make sure there is free flow of traffic in the metropolis, while our officers are ensuring that there is safety of life and property. Of course these functions can only be properly administered if you pay your taxes (officially or officerly). Did I mention the other boys? 

But I digress... That matter is for another topic.

The past year has gone by so fast, really. And maybe time is running so fast that is why contractors are not able to finish work in "record" time. Lagosians are going through hell everyday. People are spending 6-7 hours a day in traffic commuting from home to work and back again. If you add guys like me who are "marketers" then "dash" us another 3-4 hours to that and I am not exaggerating. Lucky days can come to 4 hours total; mean days? you could do 12- 14 hours. I have heard stories of people dropping Oga at home in Ikoyi at 8pm and facing Okokomaiko only to turn back at Alakija at about 2 a.m. so they can make it to Oga at 5.30 a.m.

However, I wonder not only at the pace of work that is going on but the project management also. Why block Stadium part of Western Avenue at 4.30pm on a work day? Or decide to revamp/refurbish/retar... (whatever) two roads that compliment each other at the same time? Where should commuters use as alternate routes?

I know the governor and his team mean well when they decide to transform Lagos, but 3 years of suffering can turn what ever good intention to a nightmare.

Lagos commuters... Ahoy!

Hello Lagosians,

Welcome to the ekocommute blog.

Ekocommute will dwell on issues we face everyday as we journey around Lagos. I did not think I had enough material to blog on this subject so I decided to respect myself and just "siddon" look. However, everytime I saw some injustice or abnormality in our traffic system, I would just get upset causing myself unnecessary health problems. So I decided to let off steam and write anyway.

This blog is dedicated to all those who commute around Lagos everyday. We are not strangers to the traffic jams, the floods, the bad roads and of course the "officers" we encounter everyday. You know them - LASTMA, VIO, KAI, FRSC, local government officials and of course our long time friends, the Police. Don't forget those "security boys" who drive menacingly with their punctuated sirens threatening and actually "brushing" us with those pick-ups.

It has been said (a communique issued from one sports bar by a group of semi intoxicated guys) that the average Lagos worker spends about 3 hours a day in traffic (to and from work) and if you are a marketing staff you can add another 2 or 3 hours to your daily road experience.

Now the ekocommute scope can be very vast because you may have to take into consideration many factors. There are the car owners or the "hoppers". Among each category are the privileged and ordinary. The priviledged car owner is one who drives either a brand new car or an upscale tokunbo (if you know what I mean). The ordinary car owner is one who is managing his car ('nuff said). A priviledged hopper is one who takes drops (mostly the "big babes") and the ordinary hopper is one who will jump into the buses or hop an "okada" to move.

Whichever of these categories you may belong to, I'm sure you have stories to tell. Either your daily encounter at bus-stops or frustrations on the roads. So do contribute either a comment or suggestion that may help us and the government manage this monster better.

I will try to make this an effective blog by involving "stakeholders". Let's hear what the government has to say. Ministry of transport, LAMATA, LASTMA, Police etc. What about the banks who send out those wild dogs to deliver "our" money in one branch or the other? Autodealers or car manufacturers can come and "boast" about their rides. Health professionals have advice on how to cope with this mad phenomenum. Then there are the busybodies who don't have anything to say but say it anyway...

Forgive initial lapses in grammar, lexis and structure. We will improve as we go along.

Once again, welcome to Ekocommute!