Barring any last-minute changes, the Lagos State government is set to begin rehabilitation work on the Lekki-Ajah corridor within the next 24 hours.

According to state authorities, the project is expected to last for eight months.

Residents have expressed concern over the looming traffic congestion, which they fear will worsen travel time and costs, while also dampening the city’s much-anticipated Detty December festivities.

However, the state government has allayed the residents’ fears, assuring that arrangements are being made for efficient traffic management and adequate alternative routes.

Oluwaseun Osiyemi, state’s commissioner for Transportation, told BusinessDay, Thursday evening, that the government is conscious of the expected Detty December this year and its positive impact on the state economy.

Osiyemi said a contingency plan is being worked on ahead of the commencement of the eight-month rehabilitation work on the Lekki-Ajah corridor.

Key plans, according to him, include fixing alternative routes, and getting the federal government to open the newly constructed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to take traffic off the Lekki-Ajah corridor.

“All alternative routes are presently being worked on before work starts. We are also concluding plans with the federal government for the opening of the coastal road as well. The work plan is also sectioned for ease of traffic management,” the commissioner said.

He added that traffic managers have been stationed to handle traffic situations and will be working 24 hours when the rehabilitation work starts.

Impact on Detty December

Besides the gridlock, which is a huge challenge, the Lagos government cannot discountenance the negative impact of the rehabilitation work on the Detty December, which is just a few weeks away from today.

Although Detty December is still a new revelation in Nigeria, the Igbo of the South-East region in Nigeria have been known for what they call ‘December Return.’

Detty December gained momentum in 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria’s sprawling commercial city.

It refers to the festive period in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, characterised by non-stop celebrations, social gatherings, and entertainment.

Detty December in Lagos is a vibrant celebration filled with parties, concerts, and cultural events, marking the festive end of the year. It also involves a lot of movement from one corner of the city to another, which explains why the rehabilitation work is of much concern.

The property market, this time, witnesses a boom in demand, driven by Nigerians in the diaspora and tourists, resulting in significantly higher rental prices for short-term accommodation such as serviced apartments and Airbnbs, compared to other times of the year.

Saheed Mosadoluwa, CEO, Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited, affirmed that the December festive period also coincides with a surge in Lagos’ short-let market, “as the influx of tourists, international visitors, and returning diaspora families push up rental yields in high-demand areas such as Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Lekki.”

For property owners and investors, Detty December represents a prime opportunity to earn significant income by tapping into the seasonal rental demand, which often leads to higher rental rates advertised and secured for short-term stays.

According to figures released by advisory firm MO Africa Company Limited, which analysed data from November 19 to December 26, 2024, focusing on Lagos State, nightclubs in the state raked in not less than N4.32 billion from different activities during the Detty December period.

MO Africa noted how Lagos state’s vibrant hospitality and tourism sectors attracted travellers from across the globe.

The Conversation estimated that Detty December injected over $220 million into Nigeria’s economy in 2023. It noted that a major driver of the growth is tourism, with an estimated 1.2 million visitors – mostly diasporans – flocking to Lagos in December 2024.

“Of course, the impact of heavy traffic cannot be too stressed. It can never be underestimated. However, traffic gridlock is too small to hamper Detty December in Lagos. It is gaining traction and can only get bigger,” said Ike Ibeabuchi, a Lagos-based emerging markets expert. (BusinessDay)