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Tag: Lamata

  • Blue Line now fully electric, says MD

    Blue Line now fully electric, says MD

    The Blue Line rail system from Marina to Mile 2 now runs on electricity, Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, said yesterday.

    She stated this during the final test of the train running on electricity.

    Mrs. Akinajo, an engineer; joined by the operator of the Marina to Mile 2 train services, consultants, the rail infrastructure contractor, Messrs. CCECC, and journalists rode on one of the train sets, while the second train running on the other track, from Marina to Mile 2 was back in less than one hour.

    Read Also; Lagos seals hospital for transfusing patients with unscreened blood

    She said the successful completion of test was a dream come true for Lagos, adding: “Lagos has become an exemplar for other cities in Africa.”

    The LAMATA chief said from today, the two train sets to be deployed would run 54 trips within an interval of 30 minutes, thus minimising the incidence of commuters rushing to enter the train.

    She appealed to Lagosians using the corridor to avoid the temptation of walking on the tracks, warning that the tracks are electrified and trespassers will be electrocuted.

    Mrs. Akinajo assured people of the safety and security of everyone using the system, saying there are over 300 CCTV along the corridor and in the stations through which any infraction can be detected and promptly taken care of.

  • Lagos commissions new Ilaje-Bariga Jetty

    The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Monday opened the Ilaje-Bariga Jetty as part of its commitment to improve waterways transportation.

    Lagos State has 3000 kilometres of waterways with water transportation accounting for just 74,000 travel count, which is just 0.34 percent of the daily passenger traffic put by the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (LAMATA) at 22 million.

    LASWA said the berthing of the new jetty would redefine travel pattern around the axis, calling on residents at Surulere, Bariga, Yaba, and environs to patronize the new jetty.

    LASWA General Manager, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, who spoke Tuesday, said the world class jetty is another landmark in the list of jetties delivered by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode government to reposition water transportation in the state.

    READ ALSO: US Navy Band engages instrumentalists in Lagos

    With the Ilaje-Bariga jetty, Emmanuel said, Lagos State has 23 modern jetties and four terminals.

    He said more jetties would be provided as more routes are channeled and made navigable for waterways transportation.

    According to Emmanuel, the new Ilaje-Bariga Jetty is delivered, with among other facilities, a 200 cars park and ride facility, eatery park, toilet facilities, comfortable seating arrangements, a ticketing mall, ATM gallery and other conveniences that would take water transportation to a new level.

    He said though activity is still low on the route being a new route, LASWA and the government has no doubt that facilities at the new jetty would stimulate more patronage of the water transportation.

    The LASWA chief said from the jetty, passenger can get ferries going to Apapa, CMS, Ebute Ero, Victoria Island and Falomo.

    He added that in a record of 10 to 20 minutes passengers can move from Bariga to any part of the Island or Apapa, adding that with such speed, water transportation offers a new travel experience for Lagosians who crave for a better way to beat the perennial gridlocks on the roads.

    While admitting Lagosians’ phobia for water, Emmanuel said the government would continue its aggressive campaign for strict adherence to safety regulations by all water craft operators in order to make the waterways safe.

  • MMA2, LAMATA, others win LCCI awards

    JOB spinning firms with demonstrable contribution to local sourcing and backward integration initiatives have led the rest of the pack at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Awards.

    The entrepreneurship giants were honoured based on direct and indirect impact on employment  creation, market share output, promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises and investment commitment to encouraging Nigerian products.

    The Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services clinched the Public Private Partnership award; Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport authority (LAMATA) – infrastructure Project of the Year award; School Media – Innovation & Technology in Education and The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) for the CSR company of the year awards among others.

    President of the Chamber Dr. Nike Akande said the selection of nominees and winners was subjected to painstaking and analytical procedures following submission of entries from various sectors of the economy.

    She urged players in the private sector to infuse more dedication to the business of wealth creating. The government, she said, must fix the power sector, security challenges, foreign exchange, infrastructural and institutional bottlenecks.

    She said: “We are today celebrating enterprises that have excelled in the economy amid that many of them are also indigenous enterprises. The LCCI Commerce & Industry Award would among other things continue to promote healthy competition among corporate organisations as well as competition as it is a major driver of excellence. We recognise that there is no perfect time to make an impact in any system.”

     

     

     

     

  • LAMATA gets global award

    The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has received the Geographic Information System (GIS) award for its innovative application of technology, data collection, geospatial information visualisation in transportation.

    It was presented in San Diego, California, United States, by Esri, the spatial analytics firm, at the yearly Esri User Conference.

    The award was received by LAMATA’s GIS Specialist Ms. Omolara Kareem.

    LAMATA is one of 180 organisations in agriculture, defence, transportation, non-profit works, telecoms, local and state governments to receive a SAG award.

    Selected from over 300,000 candidates, LAMATA received the award for its innovative use of GIS to collect, extrapolate and decentralise data, make decisions with maps, and change by demystifying and increasing the use of GIS among staff through the creation of an Enterprise GIS Portal.

    Jack Dangermond, ESRI Founder/ President, said the award provides a great opportunity to showcase all the outstanding achievements of LAMATA.

  • Ikeja bus terminal 90 per cent completed – LAMATA

    Ikeja bus terminal 90 per cent completed – LAMATA

    The Head of Media and Communication at the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi, said on Monday that the Ikeja bus terminal project is 90 per cent completed.

    He said the project was part of the Bus Reform Programme of the state government designed to organise transportation services in the state capital.

    Ojelabi said: “Government wants to enhance the aesthetics of the city and clean up Ikeja.

    “Ikeja is the state capital and you cannot allow about 20 buses to park in one area and those buses are going to the same place.

    “So, all the parks are going to be relocated to the bus terminal.

    “The project which started in February has four months completion period but the contractor had to place order to import Teflon, a substance used in molding articles.

    “Apart from that, the offices and tarmac to hold the buses are ready. The terminal is ready for use as soon as the governor commissions it.

    “I can say that the project is 90 per cent completed.”

    He said the project was designed as a mega terminal to accommodate buses plying various routes in the state.

    NAN

     

  • Transforming the transport system: The LAMATA example

    It seems that all too often many Lagosians are more than familiar with the unending gridlock on Lagos roads.This causes commuters to be more strategic in planning their movements. In many cases most Lagosians will not want to be caught on the Lagos Island from 4pm for fear of getting stuck in the popular Third Mainland traffic snarl.

    Considered the sixth largest city and one of the most rapidly urbanising metropolitan areas of the world with a population of over 20 million inhabitants and an annual growth rate of nearly six per cent, the state is one of the world’s mega cities. This rapid urbanisation and exploding population combined with the poorly executed development plans and poor infrastructure is one of the major reasons for the numerous transportation problems and continuous traffic gridlock in most parts of the state.

    Geographically, the metropolitan area of Lagos is also fast spreading, now extending beyond the borders of the state into the neighbouring Ogun State in the north. Commuter trips are therefore growing both in length and number.

    This population compared to the infrastructure in the state makes it a difficult task for the government to continue maintaining and providing adequate infrastructure for every resident within the state as the sprawling urbanisation has pressurised infrastructure to breaking point. The resultant effects have been increasing traffic congestion, worsening state of roads disrepair, deteriorating physical attractiveness and comfort of road-based public transport and high transport fares.

    The absence of effective rail and water mass transit system and the over reliance on road based transportation system has contributed to the number of road accidents recorded, increasing rates of traffic-related emission and atmospheric pollution.

    However, this has not deterred the state government from addressing and improving the complex transport situation in the state. One of the cardinal and strategic efforts made was the creation of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to coordinate transport policies, programmes and actions of all agencies at different tiers of government within the State.

    LAMATA is envisioned to provide a strategic planning platform to address long neglected transport needs of the metropolis and co-ordinate activities of the different executing agencies to provide a common and consistent basis for implementation.

    This led to the formulation of the Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) aimed at transforming the  transport sector beyond its current challenges. The plan identifies possible transport infrastructure and services required to meet growing travel demand for the state by 2032. This plan will be achieved under the Lagos Urban Transport Project (LUTP) 1 and 2, which is the phased implementation of the state government transport sector policy and strategy designed to resolve main issues identified by various studies conducted by the state government with the World Bank between 1988 and 1996.

    The LUTP 1, the first phase of the project was implemented between 2005 and 2010. It had five major components, which roughly correspond to the six-point transportation strategy of the government. These include Institutional strengthening and capacity building, urban road network efficiency improvement, bus services enhancement, water & Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) promotion and rail mass transit. One of the land mark projects implemented under LUTP 1 was the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lite system, a 22km partially segregated BRT corridor from Mile 12 to CMS.

    The LUTP 2, a follow-up of phase of LUTP 1, has as its major objective to improve the capacity to manage the transport sector in the Lagos metropolitan areas and enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the public transport network, through a combination of traffic engineering measures, management improvements, regulation of the public transport industry, and expansion and enhancement of BRT system.  It has four major components, which include institutional development and capacity building, improvement of public transport infrastructure and enhancement of traffic management, improvement of the state metropolitan road network and Project management and monitoring.

    The implementation of LUTP 2 led to the extension of the BRT corridor from Mile 12 to Ikorodu and the launch of 434 new Air Conditioned BRT buses in November 2015 by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Thus far the BRT extension project has transported over 60 million passengers between its launch in November 2015 and last April creating more than 1000 more jobs in the state. Another feat achieved under this project is the upgrade of 44 bus shelters including the newly constructed Ikeja bus terminal,rehabilitation of WEMPCO road in Ogba and Akin Adesola road on the Island.

    The BRT extension project yielded specific results, which include average public transport waiting time reduction from 30minutes to 10minutes, journey time savings from 120 minutes to 30 minutes, road traffic journey time reduction from 120mins to 55mins, bringing average transport cost down from N300 to N190.

    The Wempco and Akin Adesola roads projects solved the annual perennial road flooding along the corridors.

    Under these projects, an affordable transport fare has been created for the populace; also infrastructure provided is socially inclusive with ramps and stairs for the different classes of public transport users, reduction in carbon dioxide (co2), reduction in public transport related accidents and increased satisfaction with public transport.

    LAMATA is committed to the delivery of the STMP, the roadmap towards providing an integrated multi-modal public transport system for the State.

    The improved transportation infrastructure and services delivered by LAMATA under LUTP 1 and 2 have significantly contributed to the overall achievements and successes recorded by the state government.

     

    Balogun writes from Lagos

  • LAMATA, LASAA warn public against phony job adverts

    The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) have warned the public against applying for phony jobs in some public utilities.

    The agencies told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the consequences of responding to advertisements in some LAMATA bus sheds and other open spaces were dire.

    NAN reports that most of the newly upgraded LAMATA bus sheds have been defaced with phony job adverts by scammers.

    Most of the adverts were written in black ink and done under the cover of the darkness.

    LAMATA and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) sheds at CMS, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Costain, Barracks, Ojota and Ketu, among others were plastered with such adverts.

    A BRT Bus Ticket seller with LAMATA, Ronke Adisa, told NAN that the adverts were often placed at night.

    “We come in the morning to see the job adverts written on the bus sheds. We are aware that they are not genuine and I have even warned someone copying the numbers written on the wall.

    “Most of the job seekers may not be aware of it because they are desperate. Things are very hard for people, so some people want to use that avenue to exploit.

    “People engaging in this act are heartless by fleecing people who are already depressed. Aside that, they are also destroying the beauty of the bus sheds.

    “I implore those concerned to find a way of arresting the perpetrators of this ungodly act,’’ she said.

    A LAMATA Supervisor, who simply gave his name as Tunde said some of the phone numbers written by the fake advertisers were traceable.

    He said: “Some of the phone numbers are genuine because they needed to get those that will fall prey to their scam.

    “Out of curiosity, I have dialled some of the numbers and I found out that the line was active; I wonder why security agencies cannot track them down to serve as deterrent.

    “I want the security agencies to be alive to their responsibility and track down those responsible for these acts who know they may not be only fraudsters but kidnappers.

    “For us working at the BRT stations, it is not our duty to be on the lookout for those responsible but to attend to the customers.’’

    LAMATA, Head of Media and Communication Mr Kolawole Ojelabi warned the public to disregard what he called the “deceitful adverts”.

    Ojelabi said: “I am appealing to the public to be guided about the fake job adverts placed on our bus sheds. We are not responsible for it and we don’t advertise jobs.

    “We have plans for the spaces on the LAMATA bus sheds which we have concluded plans to concession for genuine adverts.

    “As a responsible company that is out to serve people, we are aware of the fake job adverts and we have alerted security agencies to them and some arrests have been made.

    “We have reported the case to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) and they are working to see that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

    Ojelabi warned that LAMATA would not be responsible for any loss suffered by any applicant.

    “We are not responsible for the adverts and we are using this opportunity to warn members of the public on the consequences of patronising scammers.

    “Some of these adverts may not be only to defraud but they may also be to kidnap people, so, I want the public to be guided on these adverts on LAMATA bus sheds.

    “We will continue to serve the people and see to their welfare by providing efficient and qualitative transport service,’’ he said.

    A LASAA official said the laws prohibiting adverts in public spaces were still in place, adding that defaulters would be dealt with.

    “We have existing laws that prohibit the display of such adverts. Those responsible for such adverts are contravening the law and they will be prosecuted when caught.

    “LASAA will not condone such act, especially when it is not in the interest of the public. Relevant security agencies are on the heels of the perpetrators.

    “The laws that prohibit such advert placements is not just for the LAMATA bus sheds but for all the public spaces we have.

    “Nobody has the right to paste posters unless approved by LASAA. I also want people to be wary of paying attention to those adverts in their interest,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that some people have complained of being defrauded after applying for such jobs.

    They claimed that after applying, they were asked to pay a certain amount for interview. After payment, the fraudsters were said to have asked them to pay thousands of naira to get non-existing jobs.

  • Ambode approves fare increase for BRT, LAGBUS

    … New prices take effect March 1

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved fare increase for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), LAGBUS and franchise buses with effect from March 1

    LAMATA Managing Director, Engr. Abiodun Dabiri, who addressed journalists at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, on Monday, said the fare has increased from 20 to 50 percent.

    Dabiri  said with the new development a ride on BRT from Ikorodu to CMS which used to cost N195 is now N300, representing over 65 percent increase, while a trip from Ikorodu to Mile 12, which used to cost N75, has moved to N100, among others.

    “As a result of the economic downturn, public transport had been severely impacted as all related costs had escalated beyond any financial forecast or projection. The current government was focused on a strategic reform of the public transport operations in order to create world class public transport infrastructure and support for operations that is modern, cost effective, safe and sustainable on the long run,” Dabiri said.

    He said the licensing of private sector operators to provide affordable and safe operations was part of this ongoing process.

    The LAMATA boss added: “The current financial crunch, however, has seen average cost of operations increase to up to about 110 percent. With cost of fueling going up by 71 percent, oil prices up by 64 percent, tyre costs up to 90 percent, continued operations is thereby threatened.

    “In view of this, and with government responsibility to avert a collapse of the franchise scheme which currently serves over 500,000 commuters daily, the Lagos State Government had to consider the request of the operators for an upward review of bus fares. It is important to note that current prices on some of these schemes have stayed constant for more than six years for some operators.”

     

  • LAMATA partners Japanese agency on $1b Monorail

    LAMATA partners Japanese agency on $1b Monorail

    The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has developed a survey on Lagos Urban Railway Development project. It is aimed at to introducing a new transportation system in Lagos State.

    Tagged: Automated Guide Transit (AGT),  it is a type of monorail.

    The survey was unveiled at a seminar to engage stakeholders in Lagos.

    The study highlighted that the new transportation system will help mitigate traffic congestion and improve the environment. The monorail project will connect from Marina to Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

    Commissioner for Transportation Dr Dayo Mobereola said the project is estimated at $1 billion, a huge percentage of which would come from the private sector.

    He said the project is scheduled to start from Marina, Victoria Island and Ikoyi is that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state mainly comes from the axis and it constitutes major attraction for business in Lagos.

    He noted that during the project, major existing structures will not be affected, since the middle of the roads would be used for its implementation.

    Compensation, he said, will be paid where structures are affected.

    LAMATA Acting Managing Director Mr Iyiola Adeboye, said the project, is aimed at ensuring smooth transportation and reducing gridlock in the state.

    He said Lagos should have a mega city structure like it is in other countries.

    Addressing the condition of transportation in Lagos Island, LAMATA Public Transport Director, Mr Gbenga Dairo said the issues affecting road networking around Victoria Island and Ikoyi were inappropriate road layout, poor traffic management, inadequate public transport and institutional obstacles.

    JICA Urban Railway and Transport Planning Team Leader Mr Akiyama Yoshihiro, said the preparatory survey was based on terms of reference between JICA and LAMATA carried out last August.

    He said JICA conducted its first survey on route planning/demand forecast in March – April, and as a follow up on rough estimate of project cost review of funding policy, comparison and review of the new transportation systems, initial environmental and social considerations.

    He assured the stakeholders that with or without gas supply, there will be an inbuilt generator to power the project.

    He added: “The proposed route plan is approximately 15.4km and 16 stations within, connecting from Marina to British International School Way with two ways visible in both island (Victoria Island/ Ikoyi). The basic concept of the survey is to minimise obstruction and to check for possible land acquisition that will result to good connectivity with other transport modes and Eko Atlantic City.”

     

  • Lagos Assembly demands LAMATA’s scorecards

    Lagos Assembly demands LAMATA’s scorecards

    The Chairman, Committee on Transportation of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Fatahi Mojeed has demanded the scorecard of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) since its existence in 2003, saying that “there is need to ensure that the vision of government on transportation does not fritter away.”

    The Chairman in company of other members of the committee, Fatahi Oluwa and Jude Idimogu made the request while on familiarization visit to the office of LAMATA at Old Toll Gate, Ikeja.

    According to him, the visit was done in preparation of an oversight function that would be carried out in the next few days, adding that “the House has received a number of petitions on the activities of LAMATA which the committee would have to verify.”

    Mojeed added that apart from the scorecard, the committee also wishes to know if there were challenges facing the company, saying the House is ready to intervene in order to better the service rendered by the Authority.

    In his reaction, LAMATA Acting Managing Director, Iyiola Adegboye recalled that during military regime in 1992 there was a collaboration with world Bank on a master plan to work out a model of transportation for Lagos.

    According to him, by 1996, the framework which was put in place was not executed until when the former Governor of the State, Bola Tinubu came to office, adding that in 2002 Tinubu signed the Lagos Urban Transport Project (LUTP) which represents the flagship for efficient delivery of acceptable means of transportation.

    Adegboye explained that LAMATA was therefore to operate as a semi-autonomous organization to militate against bureaucratic bottlenecks, saying “over the last 20 years LAMATA has become a nobel institution.”

    The MD however appealed to the House to come up with appropriate law that would assist the organization to add more values to transportation efficiency in the state.

    While expressing delight over the committee’s visit, the Managing Director promised to avail the House with details of its activities whenever the committee comes for the oversight appraisal.