Lagos, a mega city to behold.

In any given society, transportation is pivotal to socio-economic development and growth, this is why the Lagos State Government has adopted a multi-faceted approach at tackling the issue of transportation in the State even as it strive to achieve the mega city status, which is firmly on course. Obviously, Lagosians have seen great improvements in this area, with various schemes already yielding positive results in easier and comfortable transportation system.

Yet, the Babatunde Fashola led administration is not resting on its oars as it continues, on daily basis, to fashion out new ways of making transportation in the metropolis easier than it is. In fact, the multi-pronged system keeps evolving

every day, as the government adds new dimensions, all in a bid to make movement of people and goods more comfortable across the state.

While the State Government has continued to pay serious attention to road construction and maintenance, its numerous transportation schemes have been lauded as one of the best in the world. Of course, Lagosians who have been enjoying comfortable and affordable transportation via the BRT buses, are full of praises to the State Government. The BRT system, which was introduced by the immediate past administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and being effectively consolidated by the government of Babatunde Raji Fashola, is a world-wide acknowledged system of mass transit which has the capability of moving huge numbers of people at a time.

With its commencement of operation in Lagos on the 17th May, 2008, the BRT has so far lifted over 52million passengers.

Its bus fleet has increased from 100 at inception to 170 buses two month later and now has over 200 buses in its fleet. The Bus Rapid Transit that has become a global success such that the World Bank recently issue a directive that any African country planning to establish the Mass transit must go and understudy the Nigerian model.

Besides, the State Government is also exploring the modern taxi system through the Yellow Mega-City Taxi Scheme, which has the objective of developing a taxi operation of international status to be operated by private/corporate organizations, associations, cooperatives and allied unions while providing a more secure taxi operation that will enhance the confidence of the citizenry and users and most importantly provide more jobs in the transportation sector in a more formal manner and environmental friendly atmosphere.

The Fashola administration has continued to demonstrate commitment to this scheme with provision additional fleet of cars to the operators. As at the last count, the state government has handed over close to five hundred cars to the operators of the scheme for smooth operation.

Again, the State Government has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the aquatic blessing of the state is put to good use in enhancing transportation. Just recently, the State licensed additional four new water transport companies to operate on the waterways. This brought the number of operators in this regard to twelve, as eight were already operating before.

Speaking on the new licenses granted, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa said that increasing the number of operators from eight to 12 was to further ensure that the state’s vast waterways were fully used to ease traffic congestion on the roads.

He explained that with the expected light rail service, combined with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the increase in the number of ferries and boats, traffic gridlocks would disappear from Lagos roads before 2015. Opeifa expressed the hope that the multi-modal transport system being put in place would enhance the emerging mega-city status of Lagos and bring its transport sector at par with what obtains in similar cities worldwide.

Apapa-Oshodi expressway

Bode Thomas S/lere

Maryland.

Oshodi expressway.

Orile B/stop,Badagery expressway.

Rail overhead,Orile, Lagos.

Of course, Lagos State, being the most populous State and the hub of the Nigerian economy has enormous transportation challenges, the State Government is tackling these with the development of various strategies, policies and programmes to address the realities and transportation challenges of the State. With the rate at which all the schemes are growing coupled with the zeal and commitment of the State Governor, there is no doubt that the States Mega City dreams would be achieved in no time.In any given society, transportation is pivotal to socio-economic development and growth, this is why the Lagos State Government has adopted a multi-faceted approach at tackling the issue of transportation in the State even as it strive to achieve the mega city status, which is firmly on course. Obviously, Lagosians have seen great improvements in this area, with various schemes already yielding positive results in easier and comfortable transportation system.

Yet, the Babatunde Fashola led administration is not resting on its oars as it continues, on daily basis, to fashion out new ways of making transportation in the metropolis easier than it is. In fact, the multi-pronged system keeps evolving

every day, as the government adds new dimensions, all in a bid to make movement of people and goods more comfortable across the state.

While the State Government has continued to pay serious attention to road construction and maintenance, its numerous transportation schemes have been lauded as one of the best in the world. Of course, Lagosians who have been enjoying comfortable and affordable transportation via the BRT buses, are full of praises to the State Government. The BRT system, which was introduced by the immediate past administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and being effectively consolidated by the government of Babatunde Raji Fashola, is a world-wide acknowledged system of mass transit which has the capability of moving huge numbers of people at a time.

With its commencement of operation in Lagos on the 17th May, 2008, the BRT has so far lifted over 52million passengers.

Its bus fleet has increased from 100 at inception to 170 buses two month later and now has over 200 buses in its fleet. The Bus Rapid Transit that has become a global success such that the World Bank recently issue a directive that any African country planning to establish the Mass transit must go and understudy the Nigerian model.

Besides, the State Government is also exploring the modern taxi system through the Yellow Mega-City Taxi Scheme, which has the objective of developing a taxi operation of international status to be operated by private/corporate organizations, associations, cooperatives and allied unions while providing a more secure taxi operation that will enhance the confidence of the citizenry and users and most importantly provide more jobs in the transportation sector in a more formal manner and environmental friendly atmosphere.

The Fashola administration has continued to demonstrate commitment to this scheme with provision additional fleet of cars to the operators. As at the last count, the state government has handed over close to five hundred cars to the operators of the scheme for smooth operation.

Again, the State Government has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the aquatic blessing of the state is put to good use in enhancing transportation. Just recently, the State licensed additional four new water transport companies to operate on the waterways. This brought the number of operators in this regard to twelve, as eight were already operating before.

Speaking on the new licenses granted, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa said that increasing the number of operators from eight to 12 was to further ensure that the state’s vast waterways were fully used to ease traffic congestion on the roads.

He explained that with the expected light rail service, combined with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the increase in the number of ferries and boats, traffic gridlocks would disappear from Lagos roads before 2015. Opeifa expressed the hope that the multi-modal transport system being put in place would enhance the emerging mega-city status of Lagos and bring its transport sector at par with what obtains in similar cities worldwide.

Of course, Lagos State, being the most populous State and the hub of the Nigerian economy has enormous transportation challenges, the State Government is tackling these with the development of various strategies, policies and programmes to address the realities and transportation challenges of the State. With the rate at which all the schemes are growing coupled with the zeal and commitment of the State Governor, there is no doubt that the States Mega City dreams would be achieved in no time.