By Orikogbo Olushola
A major pledge of Lagos State governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is to attain a ‘Greater Lagos’. In realization of the strategic role of transportation as a key driver of economic development, the Sanwo-Olu administration made Traffic Management and Transportation a foremost part of its T.H.E.M.E.S (acronyms for Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21ST Economy, Entertainment and Tourism and Governance and Security) Developmental Agenda.
This informed the signing of his first Executive Order on Indiscriminate Refuse Dumping, Traffic Management, and Public Work. In order to improve the state of roads in the state, a state of emergency was declared on roads by the governor.
This led to heightened road construction projects across the state. Some of the critical highways and roads being constructed include the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Ojota stretch of the Ikorodu Road, Motorways-Kudirat Abiola Way, Agric/Ishawo Road and Ijede Road in Ikorodu, and Lekki-Epe Expressway from Abraham Adesanya to Eleko Junction among others.
The speed at which work is advancing on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway is particularly impressive. On January 3, the governor commissioned the newly constructed four kilometres stretch of the highway from Agboju to Trade Fair, while also declaring the commencement of construction work on the Phase II of the project, which will take off from Trade Fair to the main gate of the Lagos State University (LASU) in Iba Town.
The construction of the Phase II of the expressway is expected to be completed in October, after which the final phase will take off.
A major highlight of the state government’s intervention in roads was the commissioning of 31 network of roads at Ojokoro area of the state. The Sanwo-Olu administration moved to complete the roads to relieve residents of the agony brought about by perennial traffic gridlock in the area.
Equally, on May 29, the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) for Bus Reform Scheme at Ikeja and Oshodi Bus Terminals, Oyingbo Bus Terminal, Concrete jetty with shoreline protection and waiting shelter at Baiyeku, Ikorodu LG, Fadipe/Salami/Eyiowuawi/Odubanjo Streets in Shomolu LGA, Alhaji Akinwunmi Street, Mushin LGA and Adagun-Imeke-Iworo-Ajido-Epeme Road, Badagry LGA were all commissioned for public use by the governor.
Work is equally ongoing, in conjunction with Access Bank, on the five circular roads within Victoria Island and Lekki axis that will de-clog that part of Lagos. Work is also steadily progressing on the Agege-Pen Cinema flyover. The flyover, which is at 60 percent completion stage, will ease traffic along the axis when completed.
Re-configuration of strategic roundabouts, in order to reduce traffic gridlocks, is equally ongoing. The affected roundabouts are Allen, Lekki 1st/2nd, Ikotun, and Maryland Junctions and roundabouts. The junctions are being reconfigured because their capacities can no longer meet the vehicular demands due to increased population and vehicles on the roads.
In order to enhance traffic management in the metropolis, morale of LASTMA officials was uplifted through 100 per cent increase in their monthly allowance. Also, 1,017 newly recruited LASTMA officers were inducted by Mr. Governor and deployed to strategic locations to achieve better flow of traffic.
Also, in order to fill the noticeable space created in the transport sector by the restriction order on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, the Sanwo-Olu administration rolled out 65 High Capacity buses to augment the existing fleet.
The fully automated Ultra-Modern Vehicle Inspection Operational Headquarters in Ojodu, Berger was also commissioned while a cashless toll payment at Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge has also commenced. It is aimed at reducing traffic gridlock/queues often experienced on the corridor while making cash payments.
Integrated mass transportation initiative has also recorded a huge progress with the successful completion of the elevated sea-crossing track of the Blue Line Mass transit project.
Construction work has since begun on the final phase. This project is a top priority for the current administration, as it is critical to the achievement of its prioritized pillar of traffic management and transportation in its six-point development agenda.
Similarly, ongoing work on the Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT lane and Blue/Red line rail, is in line with the aspiration of the present administration to solve the traffic gridlock through an effective and efficient intermodal transport system, which is also key to the building of a 21st century economy which is central to the attainment of a ‘Greater Lagos’.
Also, to effectively integrate a sustainable intermodal transportation system, Governor Sanwo-Olu recently commissioned eight new state- of-the-art ferries, with a pledge to totally explore the tourism and economic potentials of the waterways in the State for the overall benefit of all.
While commissioning the boats at the Badore Ferry Terminal, Ajah, on Tuesday, February 4th, 2020, Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to the implementation of the integrated transport management system designed to scale up water, rail and land transportation, saying that the grand plan is to divert at least two million passengers on the waterways daily, thereby reducing traffic on the road.
Much emphasis is particularly being placed on safety of the water ways. This is why lots channelization and dredging are being done in order to make the waterways safe and secure for all stakeholders.
There are also plans to connect water terminals and the roads, especially in places such as Badore, Ajah, Mile 2, Badagry, Ikorodu and other places where there are terminals.
With current level of investment in water transportation, Lagos, no doubt, stands to experience appreciable upsurge in socio-economic activities.
For instance, the expansion of trade to the Lekki Free Trade Zone will be easy to access by water from international waterways to local inland waterways.
Also, inter-costal trade will experience ease such that traders will be able to move their commodities via ships and other water transport modes. Therefore, the menace of tankers and heavy-duty trucks on the roads will be drastically reduced.
Presently, the Lagos Ferry Services Company (LAGFERRY) is facilitating cargoes movement and providing innovative solutions to logistic challenges of industries, importers and manufacturers.
It currently conveys trucks from its Mile 2 Jetty to Apapa Seaport to load containers. The hassles of doing same by road are being greatly reduced by the option of moving them on water via LAGFERRY’s badges.
It is important to stress that more private investors with interest in the sector are, however, still required to partner with the State government in order to fully enhance the prospect of water transportation in the State.
It is in doing this that Lagos can truly become a 21st century economy. On its part, the state government should ever willing to embrace more creative and strategic enterprises geared towards improving the unlimited potentials of the state’s waterways.
On the whole, given the complex and vital nature of public transportation in Lagos State, the Sanwo-Olu Administration has done well by investing in and developing intermodal transportation.
By the time the Lagos light rail project becomes effective and expanded, coupled with renewed efforts to improve water transportation in addition to numerous on-going road projects across the state, a more effective and reliable public transportation system will emerge.
Lagosians, however, need to cooperate with the government to make this prospect a reality by protecting public infrastructure as well as obeying traffic laws.
- Olushola, a public transportation expert, wrote in from Lekki, Lagos.
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