As the joyous bells of the yuletide season ring, a different symphony unfolds for those embarking on journeys to reunite with loved ones. Especially those travelling by road. The quest for festive togetherness becomes an odyssey laden with challenges, a narrative that unfolds with every kilometre on the unforgiving Nigerian roads.
Potholes and uneven surfaces are a test of endurance. Travellers grapple not only with the poor quality of roads but also with the risks of accidents, and more menacingly, potential threats from kidnappers or human traffickers. The need for cautious driving to navigate these treacherous road conditions further extends travel time, leaving passengers vulnerable to the unpredictability of the journey.
In the face of exorbitant flight prices (on Christmas eve, for example, a one-way ticket from Lagos to Enugu cost N385,000), many opt for the lesser evil of travelling by road, only to be met with a fresh set of challenges.
Transporter take advantage of the rise in demand to charge very high fares, with zero additional comfort. Leg room is a luxury and it is common to find overloaded vehicles tottering under the weight of excess luggage. The safety of these belongings becomes a precarious affair, as they are routinely tethered to the roof of buses or cars, susceptible to the whims of gravity or the intrusive grasp of dust.
The government’s laudable effort to enhance sCheckpointsecurity through strategically placed military checkpoints meant to provide security also become “toll gates”, where drivers and passengers are extorted and harassed, causing unnecessary delays.
The holiday rush adds an additional layer of complexity to the traveller’s ordeal. Transportation hubs, usually serene, transform into bustling parks teeming with eager individuals desperate to reunite with their loved ones.
The ensuing chaos and the palpable excitement contribute to an extended waiting time, fostering not just physical but emotional fatigue. The joy of festive reunions becomes entangled with the challenges of navigating crowded terminals, creating an overall taxing experience for travelers.
Yet, amidst the chaos, tales of strength and resilience emerge. Strangers, bound by a common struggle, become companions in the shared journey. Acts of kindness, like flickering stars in the night sky, illuminate the otherwise dark path. The collective determination of travelers to overcome these obstacles serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit, capable of finding light even in the bleakest of circumstances.
In the end, the challenging journey of travellers on Nigerian roads during the yuletide season mirrors a tapestry of issues—infrastructural inadequacies, the frenzy of holiday rush, and the indomitable will of those steadfastly committed to reaching their destinations.
Navigating these rough roads becomes more than a physical journey; it transforms into a metaphor for life’s obstacles. Despite the manifold challenges, the resilience of travellers becomes a profound statement on the human experience, embodying strength in the face of adversity.
–Chimdiukwu is a student of Mass Communication at the Veritas University, Abuja
