ALTHOUGH Ajao Estate occupies an infinitesimal portion of the Lagos landmass, it’s road-related problems, however, are worrying. Providing residential quarters to some of the state’s affluent, Ajao is regrettably a parking lot to dozens of heavy duty trucks that often terrorise road users before bringing their metallic bulk to rest on almost half the breadth of the roads.

Whether the estate is ‘residential’ or ‘industrial’ depends on who provides the answer. Suffice it to say that Ajao has a fair share of industries and warehouses that now and again are visited by the road monsters.

And whether they are turning a corner, simply reversing or trying to snake into some premises, other road users and residents are forced to pay in wasted time and frustration. The price is even dearer when the intruders break down and have to change a tyre or hub -right on the road, of course!

Until two months ago, the estate had even been a more chaotic paradise, as commercial motorcyclists, fueled by a police force that turned a blind eye, spawned a regime or recklessness and impunity. The honking, death-defying menaces were notorious for driving against the traffic and turning entire sections of the road into makeshift parks where they picked or dropped passengers.

The estate has recently been the scene of road construction intended to connect its ‘hinterland’ with the ‘outside world’. And while the project alone sparked no little gridlock, the activities of the trucks complicated matters. The fear of passing through Ajao became wisdom, as some motorists rested their vehicles far from the traffic mess, jumped into tricycles, and then returned to pick the cars at the close of day.

The construction firm handling the project complained of the indiscriminate parking of trucks and trailers, saying it was restricting its job delivery. It added that it had also reported the matter to the relevant roads authorities.
A source in the company, who pleaded anonymity, said: “It is certain whenever there is construction work, there would be inconveniences. But we want truck drivers to comply with us, so that we can perform our duty effectively.”
Residents of the estate said truck drivers have turned streets, like Kolawale Sonibare, Nduka Osadebey and Chivita Avenue, into permanent parks, making it difficult to drive private vehicles home.

When The Guardian visited the area, it counted over 30 trailers and trucks parked on the streets.
Some of the residents said they have made several complaints to the police and the state government but that no decisive action has been taken.

Most of these truck owners are into warehousing. We are not saying they should not do their businesses, but they don‘t have to disturb others. We want government to do something about it. Government should wake up to its responsibility. At least, there are agencies meant to address this type of problem. There are laws in the land; they should not disturb others. They should park in their compounds, instead of turning streets to parking spaces.

One Mr. Adebayo Mama said officials of the Lagos State Traffic Maintenance Agency (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) have paid visits to the estate to warn the errant drivers. He noted that the menace has taken a turn for the worst, as touts now collect money from the drivers in exchange for parking spaces on the streets. “We are not feeling the impact of government here, at all. We can’t drive in or out at our convenience,” he lamented.

Business operator, Mr. Godwin Nnaemeka, went a step further. He explained: “Like other people on this street, I have had confrontations with the owners of the trucks and trailers on several occasions. It came to a point that I had to report to the police. I was given a ‘No Parking’ sign, to put in front of my shop. This has stopped them from parking there, though they still disturb my customers from driving in easily.
“Most of these truck owners are into warehousing. We are not saying they should not do their businesses, but they don‘t have to disturb others. We want government to do something about it. Government should wake up to its responsibility. At least, there are agencies meant to address this type of problem. There are laws in the land; they should not disturb others. They should park in their compounds, instead of turning streets to parking spaces.”

Spokesman for commercial tricycle operators in the area, Mr. Dele, said: “We always report violation of traffic rules and regulations by trailer drivers to the police. Sometimes, the police stop them from parking by the roadside. We also report to LASTMA. But we do not have enough of these officials in Ajao Estate.
“The traffic jam affects our business negatively. Most times, the trucks park on both sides of the road and motorists are forced to squeeze through the middle. We have the phone numbers of LASTMA officials and whenever there is a traffic snarl, we call them. But often, they arrive late.”

But a LASTMA official posted to the estate said: “LASTMA is doing their best to direct the traffic, especially in the morning and closing hours. Because of the construction work, we order motorists to move against the traffic and make efforts to streamline the trailers and trucks, to ensure free flow of traffic.
“We have been educating heavy-duty vehicle drivers that roadside parking is against traffic law. We directed them to park in Isolo after off-loading their trucks and trailers.
“I have been in this zone for over a year. The attitude of people is the major challenge. LASTMA officers have been educating members of the community to obey traffic rules rather than use total enforcement. This is why the agency finds it difficult to instill total sanity in –he estate. We advise the residents to cooperate with LASTMA officials and men of the Nigeria Police, to ensure free flow of traffic in the estate.”