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Tag: Danfo

  • Danfo: Going, going …

    Danfo: Going, going …

    •Time is ripe for Lagos to have intelligent mass transport systems

    In most livable cities, the two most effective modes of mass transit in cities with large populations are subways and buses. Transportation in Lagos should not be an exception to this rule. But the mega city has been an exception for decades during which it has relied on ‘pseudo-mass’ transit systems provided by mini-buses (Danfo), despite arduous efforts on the part of Lagos State governors in the last 17 years to modernise mass transit in the city.

    The state’s strategic transport master plan (STMP) has made its efforts to add the city to list of cities committed to adopting intelligent mass transport systems remarkable. But the dark side of mass transit in Africa’s most populous city is the failure to end reliance on motorcycles, tricycles, and mini-buses. It is, therefore, salutary that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has boldly acknowledged the disadvantages of getting stuck to an obsolete and inefficient mode of transportation that is incapable of enhancing the competitiveness of the city and its residents.

    At a conference in Lagos on ’Living Well Together, Tomorrow: The Challenge of Africa’s Future Cities,’ Governor Ambode made one of the boldest policy announcements on the future of mass transportation in the mega city. Announcing his government’s decision to phase out danfo, okada, and tricycles in the metropolis, he assured citizens of his government’s vision: “When I wake up in the morning and see all these yellow buses and see okada and all kinds of tricycles and then we claim we are a mega city, that is not true and we must first acknowledge that that is a faulty connectivity that we are running … Having accepted that, we have to look for the solution and that is why we want to banish yellow buses this year. We must address the issue of connectivity that makes people to move around with ease and that is where we are going.”

    A city-state of about 23 million people cannot continue to rely on modes of transport that are too limited in design and capacity to safely and efficiently move people around in a metropolis that is also constrained in terms of road space for free movement of traffic. Most of the advantages of mass transit: fast, efficient, effective, and safe movement of passengers in an atmosphere devoid of chronic traffic congestion and rising pollution are unattainable by motorcycles, tricycles, and even mini-buses, particularly in an urban space in which over 10 million people need to move from one point to another daily.

    Therefore, time is ripe to gradually phase out such obsolete and ineffective transportation modes. But, like all efforts to improve on any system, there are implications that must not be overlooked in the transition from an inefficient system to a more efficient one.

    The challenges thrown up by transition to a post-danfo/okada transit system in Lagos are legion but not impossible to transform into opportunities. There are thousands of drivers and conductors whose livelihood will be affected by the new policy. The business culture of such drivers and conductors require reorientation that can make them useful as employees in the new dispensation. Danfo drivers who are already licensed to drive should be assisted to benefit from special re-training programmes to make them eligible for employment. And the government ought to provide special economic empowerment programmes for those who may be unemployable in the post-danfo/okada era.

    We also urge the government to embark on public enlightenment on the need to modernise and improve transportation in the state. Current complaints about Public/Private Partnership, be it about provision of potable water, waste disposal and management, and other utilities are likely to affect the move to phase out danfo and okada, if proper public enlightenment is not provided to assure all stakeholders that providing over 20 million people with well-coordinated mass transit is a win-win situation for all.

  • Ban on ‘danfo’: Lagos allays fear of job loss as NURTW backs move

    Ban on ‘danfo’: Lagos allays fear of job loss as NURTW backs move

    Lagos State Government has allayed the fear of job lost in the state’s transport sector as it moves to stop operations of yellow commercial buses popularly known as ‘danfo’ in order to ensure a more efficient transport system

    In a session with journalists, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde assured that there will be no job lost by the time the state phases out usage of yellow commercial buses, popularly known as ‘danfo’.

    Ayorinde who explained that the government has had series of meeting with stakeholders concerned in the business of mass transportation said the idea to phase out ‘danfos’ in Lagos is essential for the common good of all Lagosians.

    He furthered, “We are not taking the yellow buses out of the whole of Lagos. In the first danfo busesinstance, they will still be able to work in communities, local government roads, but not on the highways, major roads within the metropolis of Lagos.

    Ayorinde added that the yellow buses will be allowed to move into the hinterland but stated that there will be sufficient and more environmentally friendly buses that will be provided by the state before that is done.”

    He said: “The buses that will be brought with air conditions, provisions for physically challenged people will not be powered by angels, solar or driverless technologies. Drivers will work there, bus assistant will work there, so what it means is that we won’t just be able to employ erstwhile drivers of yellow buses but we will also be able to employ bus assistant that read tickets, sign and issue tickets and operate computers. Who says they can’t even be graduates? So far they are adequately remunerated.

    “That is the vision that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has for Lags state, So it is not about taking jobs away from anybody it is about making lives better for those who are in the sector.nurtw-300x222

    Meanwhile, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Chapter, on Tuesday advised its members not to panic over the proposed ban on operations of yellow commercial buses.

    The state Chairman of the union, Mr Tajudeen Agbede, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

    Recall that Ambode had on Feb. 6 announced a plan to stop operations of yellow commercial buses popularly known as ‘danfo’ for a more efficient, well-structured and world-class mass transport system.

    Ambode said that the well-structured transport system would ease movement within the state and make Lagos cleaner without burdening the people in terms of taxes.

    Agbede said that the union was discussing the proposed ban with the government, adding that the union was ready to cooperate with the state government on its mega city project.

    “We are still discussing with the government on the proposed ban on yellow buses, but we believe it is going to yield a positive result.

    “The union is ready to comply with the conditions of making the state a mega city.

    “We are ready to change the colour of our buses and also comply with the directive to follow the service lanes,” Agbede said.

  • Ambode insists on removing yellow buses from Lagos roads

    Ambode insists on removing yellow buses from Lagos roads

    …Reveals New Sanitation Policy

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday insisted plans are afoot to remove yellow buses popularly known as Danfo from Lagos roads for a more efficient, well-structured and world class mass transportation system that would facilitate ease of movement within the city.

    The Governor also said that his administration would soon roll out a comprehensive environmental sanitation policy that would make the city to be clean without much burden on the people in terms of taxes.

    Speaking at the 14th Annual Lecture of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) held at Muson Centre in Onikan with the theme: “Living Well Together, Tomorrow: The Challenge Of Africa’s Future Cities,” Governor Ambode admitted that the present connectivity mode in Lagos was not acceptable and befitting for a mega city, and as such a well-structured transportation mode would soon be put in place to address the challenge.

    “When I wake up in the morning and see all these yellow buses and see Okada and all kinds of tricycles and then we claim we are a mega city, that is not true and we must first acknowledge that that is a faulty connectivity that we are running.

    “Having accepted that, we have to look for the solution and that is why we want to banish yellow buses this year. We must address the issue of connectivity that makes people to move around with ease and that is where we are going.

    “For instance, people going from Ikorodu to CMS have started leaving their cars at home because the buses are very convenient and so why can’t we do that for other places? Yes, we don’t have the money to do that but we can go to the capital market and then improve on the technology of collection of fares and that will encourage investors and then the city will change,” Governor Ambode said.

    He said government was also embarking on massive reform in waste management system, expressing optimism that the plan will fully be actualized by July this year.

    He said: “We are also embarking on massive reform in the waste and sanitation management system. I don’t like the way the city is and the Private Sector Participants (PSP) collectors are not having enough capacity to do it but again should I tax people to death, the answer is no. I don’t want to tax people and so we need this partnership with the private sector so that they can invest in the sanitation management of the city and in no time maybe by July, the city will change forever.”

    The Governor, who recalled the massive infrastructures being put in place in critical sectors of the Lagos economy such as transport sector, road construction and rehabilitation, construction of lay-bys, and flyovers among others, said the main objective of his administration remained the growth of the Lagos economy from 5th to 3rd largest economy in Africa.

    On power, Governor Ambode said the major issue had always been with transmission and advocated an embedded power initiative that would allow clusters of Independent Power Projects (IPP) to run the cities.

    He said he had remained focused on some issues such as infrastructure, security, job creation, power, adoption of technology as an enabler and driving investment through ease of doing business.

    In his opening remarks, CVL founder and renowned development expert, Professor Pat Utomi said the idea behind the formation of the group was to get young people to begin to appreciate early what leadership was all about being service to the people.

    Speaking on the theme of the symposium, Utomi said Lagos remained the best governed State in Nigeria in the last 18 years, and a good example of what the country should be beyond and without oil.

    He commended Governor Ambode on his leadership style, and particularly congratulated Lagos for being named by the Rockefeller Foundation as one of the 100 most resilient cities in the world.

    Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke said the theme of the symposium was apt considering that Nigeria’s population by 2050 would have tripled and as such it was important for the country to start planning for livable cities.

    He commended Governor Ambode over his achievements in office so far, saying that it was obvious that the Governor has been performing very well and he is a good example of continuity in governance.

    On his part, Director of Centre for African Economies, Oxford University, Professor Paul Collier said from his over thirty years’ experience of coming to Nigeria, Governor Ambode has proven himself to be the third excellent Governor in a row in Lagos.

    Collier, who was the keynote speaker, said judging by the population projection of Nigeria by 2050, now is the time for the country to start building its cities to conform with modern trend.

    He said Nigeria’s oil had been a course which messed up the economy, and so there was need to start proper planning for development.

    As a way out, Collier suggested alliance between the business community and political actors, saying that to build a city that works, attention must be focused on energy and connectivity.

  • Danfo driver charged with assault of eight-year-old girl

    A 28-year-old driver, Nnamdi Ikunor has been arraigned before  a Lagos  Magistrates Court sitting in Ikeja for  unlawful and indecent assault of an eight-year-old girl.

    Ikunor is facing a two-count charge of defilement before Magistrate  Bola Osunsanmi.

    Prosecuting Inspector Simon Imohnwa said the defendant committed the offence on July 7 at Adidas village in Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos.

    The charge against the defendant reads: “That you Nnamdi Ikunor on July 7 at Adidas village, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district did unlawfully and indecently assaulted one (name withheld) eight-year old child by fingering her vagina and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 135 of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2011.”

    Inspector Imohnwa informed the court that the offence committed is punishable under section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Magistrate Osunsanmi granted him N300,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned the matter till September 7.

  • Danfo driver held for ‘armed robbery’

    Danfo driver held for ‘armed robbery’

    •Our plight, by victims

    A commercial bus driver has been arrested by Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives for alleged robbery.

    Abdullahi Olanrewaju was arrested after his gang allegedly robbed some houses on Abeje and Onibeju Streets, off Capitol road in Agege, Lagos, last Friday.

    Some victims have described the night of the robbery as a nightmare.

    In a statement yesterday, RRS said Olanrewaju, 30, was arrested after a gun duel with its operatives on patrol, who were alerted by a victim.

    RRS quoted the victims as saying that the suspect led the eight-man gang to their house.

    “That was the man who pointed gun at every one of us, threatening to shoot us if we fail to cooperate with them. They had to destroy my door with a sledge-hammer before they could enter,” he said.

    Another victim, who lives on Onibeju Street, confirmed that the suspect led his colleagues to their building, saying: “It was a bad midnight for all of us. In fact, he hit one of our neighbours with a pump action gum. The man has been hospitalised”.

    The victims flocked the RRS’ Headquarters in Ikeja to identify the suspect as the gang leader who threatened to waste their lives.

    “When I did the calculation, the fleeing robbers had escaped with N549,500 collected from all of us with other valuables”, a victim said.

    Items recovered from the suspect were one cut-to-size pump action a Jack Knife, two laptops, 14 handsets, wrist watch and N2, 600.

    The operatives, who were led to the robbery scene by Inspector Anthony Inege said a victim, who escaped through the window, alerted them that armed men were operating in their building.

    The officers followed him to the scene where they met the robbers attempting to enter another building on the street.

    The Nation learnt that on sighting the police, the robbers and the RRS returned fire.

    Olanrewaju, who hails from Ita-Amoju in Kwara State, was said to have confessed to RRS investigators that he was lured into the robbery by his gang members, who promised to buy him a commercial bus after the operation.

    RRS quoted him as saying: “When I arrived in Lagos, I started driving a commercial bus plying Agege to Oshodi before I joined the robbery gang. But all of a sudden, the bus developed faults, and the owner had to sell the vehicle. Since then, things have been very difficult for me.

    “I met other gang members at a beer parlour in Akerele Wahabi area in Agege. I told them I was a bus driver and they promised to buy a new bus for me. When they refused to buy the vehicle for me, they promised again that they would introduce me to one business that can make me become rich. I never knew it was armed robbery they wanted to introduce me to.”

    On is arrest, he said: “At midnight when we went for robbery, I along with other seven gang members met at Markaz Road. We operated from one building to the other. Although, I didn’t follow them inside but I was placed on standby outside. My job was to keep all the looted items including money.

    “We went for that operation with bullet loaded in four pump action guns. We had planned our movement for that night. We had intention to rob all the houses on the two streets but luck ran out on us as we were able to visit only five buildings before the arrival of RRS operatives. We collected a lot of money, mobile phones and jewellery to mention a few’’.

    Two of his colleagues, he said opened fire in the police on sighting them approaching with their vehicle.

    He said: “When we sighted the police approaching, we had no choice than to shoot them. We opened fire on them and they sponded immediately.  But when we noticed that we were about to run out of bullets, we decided to take to our heels. Unfortunately for me, while other managed to escape the police arrested me because I was unable to join the waiting vehicle.

    “If I had known, I would not have followed them that night. It was my first time of going out with them. I didn’t know they were into robbery but when I discovered the kind of business they wanted to introduce me to, it was too late for me to reject, they also threatened to kill me if I exposed them.”

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said the suspect is helping with investigation.

    The command, she said, would get the fleeing robbers.

  • Assault: Police arrest fleeing danfo driver

    Assault: Police arrest fleeing danfo driver

    The police have caught the danfo driver, who along with two others, allegedly rough handled a passenger, Miss Kafayat Rabiu, at Abule Egba, Lagos, and fled about 12 days ago.

    The Nation learnt that Sadiq Olowolagba was handed over to the police on Saturday by the bus owner.

    Lagos police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), told The Nation yesterday that the bus was tracked down on Friday and the owner produced Olowolagba on Saturday.

    “I told you every machine was set in motion for his arrest. Sadiq Olowolagba will be charged to court tomorrow (today) for assault,” she said.

    To facilitate Olowolagba’s arrest, the police sent his bus’ number plate to their men on traffic duty at Alakuko on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) officials.

    Last Tuesday, Miss Rabiu took her quest for justice to the Governor’s office in Alausa, Ikeja.

    Yesterday, an elated Miss Rabiu said the police had called to tell her of the driver’s arrest.

    She said: “I received a call from the police this morning (yesterday) that the driver has been arrested. They want me to come to the station, but I am outside Lagos. I hope to return to Lagos and go to the station.”

    Coordinator of Al-Muminaat Social Advocacy Project Mrs Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade, who led Miss Rabiu to the governor’s office said: “The swift intervention of the Lagos State Government into has once again demonstrated the resolve of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to protect all citizens irrespective of their creed, region and social status from all forms of crimes and maltreatment

    “As a Muslim women human rights advocacy organisation, it gladdens our hearts that the assault case of a sister in hijab can get the attention of the governor. Indeed, this singular swift intervention of the government gives much hope to the ordinary man on the street that their rights can no longer be infringed upon with impunity.”

  • Danfo driver burnt to death in Lagos fire

    Danfo driver burnt to death in Lagos fire

    A middle-aged driver was yesterday burnt to death when his bus caught fire on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    The Mazda bus went up in flames after its tyre burst on the motion.

    A Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official said the passengers inside the 15-seater bus marked MUS781XB rushed out.

    “Immediately the tyre burst, the bus somersaulted twice. As soon as it came to a halt, the bus caught fire leaving the passengers no choice than to run for their lives. They did not know the driver was trapped in the bus. Even when the fire was quenched, the seat belt was still intact on his body. Commercial drivers who recognised the bus gathered at the scene and informed the owner of the bus. It was a great loss,” he said.

    Sources said the incident caused a traffic gridlock,  adding that the driver was burnt beyond recognition.

    It was learnt that the body was removed by the police  and given to his family.

    The driver, it was gathered, is a resident of Ishawo near Ikorodu, Lagos

  • Lagos to bar Danfo from Broad Street, Apongbon

    Lagos to bar Danfo from Broad Street, Apongbon

    Yellow buses popularly known as Danfo are to be barred from Broad Street and Apongon as part of the strategies to free Lagos Island of traffic gridlock, the government said yesterday.

    Special Adviser (SA) to Governor Akinwumi Ambode on Central Business District (CBD) Mr Agboola Dabiri told reporters that the measure is aimed at making life stress free for motorists

    “You must have observed that the traffic within Apongbon from Broad Street has been terrible and if you are not careful, from beginning of Apongbon to Surulere can take like five hours,” he said.

    He said Apongbon towards Broad Street part of it to Funsho Williams (formerly Western Avenue) would be cordoned off such that commercial buses would find it difficult to pick and drop passengers.

    Buses, he said, move down from Marina through the bridge instead of taking Apongbon and Broad Street.

    “Our ultimate target is to make Broad Street and Apongbon zero tolerant to yellow buses,” he said.

    Dabiri said the challenges caused by street traders on the Island were also being addressed by creating barricades to make it difficult for them to operate.

    “As of today, we have sealed under the bridge with barb wires, we have enclosed the traders under the bridge within the barb wires so as to prevent them from moving,” he said.

    “Each day, millions of people visit Lagos Island for trading, we will do our best to maintain best standard in the CBD”, the Special Adviser added.