For a first time visitor to Lagos State, after seeing the State House in Alausa, which is one of the major attractions on the Lagos Mainland, the next port of call would be the Lagos Island which would be like a miniature version of London to anyone who may not have been opportuned to have travelled out of the country.
The tall skyscrapers, the endless maze of shopping malls, the giant billboards with life images, the growing population of white people, the third mainland bridge and best of all, the endless blue sea dotted with huge towering ships, would make any first time visitor from the hinterland of the country open his or her mouth agape in awe.
The Lagos Island, which used to be the major hub of commercial activities in the state in the last five years, is gradually losing its shine due to the rapid metropolitan development of the mainland.
Also, according to some respondents who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune, the Lagos Island is fast losing its appeal with the steady influx of the middle and lower classes of society into the area which was once reserved for the upper crust of the society. And so, the once quiet streets and boulevards predominantly dominated by people of means are now more like ghosts of their former selves as the bustling associated with city life seems to have taken over.
The posh cars, which used to ply the streets on the island are now being that replaced with yellow and white commercial buses engage themselves in the break neck speed races of death while trying to beat the legendary Lagos traffic which, often, keep motorists on the same spot for hours. With bus conductors hanging precariously on the hinges of the public buses’ doors calling out various destinations in loud voices, the scenario is almost a replica of what you would find in Oshodi, Ketu, Agege, or Mile 12.
Driving from the Third Mainland Bridge, which links the Island to the Mainland, first time visitors have a feeling of excitement as the cool breeze from the sea and the sheer endlessness of the international waterways hits them. But the relaxing feeling is short lived as one moves into Broad Street, which is home to most of the corporate headquarters of the commercial banks in Nigeria.
Broad Street, famous for its length, is home to Sterling Towers, AP House, the 25-storey United Bank for Africa (UBA) corporate headquarters, the 17-storey Elephant House, the 14-storey Energy House, Premier Bookstore, CSS Bookshops, sundry shops and several stalls.
The beauty and splendour of the high rise architectural masterpieces soon give way to a market scenario which is lined up on each side of the street. From food vendors to street hawkers, you can get virtually anything ranging from used phones to soup ingredients. Also, one can even get fake goods and items such as the Gucci watch which according to the Nigerian Tribune’s investigations, was sold for as low as N1000, depending on one’s bargaining power.
Taking a walk from No 1, Broad Street, which is home to the Federal Dental Clinic (FDC), one would discover that the tempo of trading increased downwards the CSS Bookshop, as both sides of the road have hawkers of various items from consumables such as snacks and fruits to textiles, books and baby wears. Motorists literally have to beg traders to leave the road so as to allow for easy passage, because to many of the hawkers, the road makes brisk business and so they besiege it to make fast cash.
Because of this reason, the presence of touts becomes inevitable. The touts, popularly called ‘Agberos’ freely ply their trade near Mamman Kontagora House shouting at the top of their voices, “Ikeja, Agege, Iyanapaja, two chance, one chance, going, going, going! O ya pilot move on joo.” The scenario is reminiscent of the ever busy Oshodi environment and cuts a picture which is a far cry from what used to be known as the Lagos Island.
Though efforts of the Lagos State Government to rid the area of the street hawkers yielded results at the initial stage, the vendors are now back with vengeance, selling their wares on any available space anywhere they could find.
From Marina, as one joins the traffic moving towards Victoria Island, you are bathed in the sheer serenity and business like atmosphere of the Island. Well, be alert and don’t get settled yet because of the massive potholes that one would certainly find on popular streets like Adeola Odeku, Kofo Abayomi and the endless maze of interlocking streets which are all linked together.
One common feature of most of the streets on Victoria Island are the potholes and the absence of proper drainage. When it rains on Lagos Island, all hell is let loose as the roads become so flooded that cars are always almost submerged and must possess good engines to get to dry ground. Owning an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) is usually a blessing during such times though.
The flooded roads give birth to a nightmarish traffic and if one is not careful, he/she could actually spend a whole day right on the streets. Traffic time, however, is usually a peak period for street vendors who weave dangerously between the vehicles, selling just about everything ranging from garden equipment, toys to consumables.
Investigations also revealed that for some people, doing business on the island have taken a downward spiral as many famous shopping malls which used to house designer stores are now more like relics.
A visit to a popular shopping mall around the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) axis, revealed that some of the shops located in the massive structure are now empty. Though formerly inhabited by trendy stores, they are now under lock and key.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, a photographer who craved anonymity and who has his studio within the premises, noted with dismay that business had been dull for a while.
“I rented this space when business on the Island was at its peak. Though I am a professional photographer, I still find it very difficult to get jobs. I have to hustle. People’s attention are gradually drifting back to the mainland. If you take into account the number of hours you will spend in traffic, why would anyone like to come all the way from the mainland just to get their photographs taken? Though we offer other services, things have generally not been easy.
Also, the cost of renting a shop or space here on the island is enormous. I pay in millions per annum, and I am not ready to renew my rent once it expires.”
Visit to a shopping mall at Ikota also revealed that many of the shops were closed and those that were open had minimal patronage.
A sales girl who simply identified herself as Alice, pointed out that the cosmetic shop, where she works, would be the third shop she had worked in, within the complex.
“Sales here is very dull. My madam is thinking of moving to another location. I have not had any customer since morning and this is two in the afternoon. My madam sometimes thinks I am lying when I tell her that I have not sold anything.”
An estate agent, who identified himself as Bode Akeem, however pointed out that business had not been easy as many now prefer to live on the mainland and commute to work from there.
“The price of a three-bedroom apartment in this area runs into millions and it is only the super rich that can afford it. I deal with people every day and many say they prefer to live in places like Magodo, Omole, Ogudu, Ogba because the rent rates there are relatively cheaper when compared to that of the Island.”
He also pointed out that the expansion of franchises like Shoprite, Mr Price and Woolworths to the mainland had shifted consumers attention to the mainland.
“People no longer run to the Island to shop as they can also do that on the mainland. The major attraction you can get on the Island now is the beach because you certainly can’t find that on the mainland.”
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