December has arrived quietly but firmly, bringing with it the usual uptick in activities. For Lagos, it is the month we welcome home our diasporans seeking warmth—both from the weather and from the people—away from the long, cold winters of their host countries.
Traditionally, the medians and kerbs along our major arterial roads receive a fresh coat of black-and-white paint at this time of year.
This season, however, Lagos is presenting a different approach. Solar-powered streetlights are being installed along these corridors, with pits dug at regular intervals for their placement. In some cases, these new installations sit side-by-side with the existing ageing lamp posts, creating an avoidable visual clash.
At the same time, posters and banners are already making their appearance. Many are positioned on the ground in anticipation, ready to occupy the new poles the moment they are erected. As a result, returning visitors will encounter a significant increase in billboards and banners—stretching from Ojota to Western Avenue, from the Lekki Expressway and the heavily billboarded Third Mainland Bridge, down to Oworonshoki, the Outer Ring Road, and Apapa.
If we want to enhance the experience of visitors and residents alike during this peak season, it is important to rethink the state of our major roads. Cleaner corridors, well-maintained flyovers with fresh paint and functional handrails, clearly marked lanes, and smooth driving surfaces should be prioritised. These improvements contribute meaningfully to the urban environment and overall road user comfort.
Importantly, the yuletide period is not the ideal time for major road construction works, as such activities restrict movement and reduce access to key locations during a high-traffic season.
Wishing everyone a pleasant holiday period.
Happy Environment Thursday.
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