LAGOS – Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Tuesday said his administration was committed to building an efficient inter-modal transport system in the state.
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He spoke in Lagos while inaugurating 100 new buses for the state`s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the buses, owned by Metro buses, a franchisee of the state-owned LAGBUS Assets Management Company, are fully air-conditioned and have Wi-fi internet connection for on-the go browsing.
Fashola said his government was putting in place transport solutions to ensure easy and convenient movement of people and goods within the state.
According the governor, the first phase of the state`s light rail project, covering a total of 27km from Okokomaiko to Marina, has reached an advanced stage of completion.
The governor said that most of the termini had been completed and the laying of tracks on the distance had commenced.
Fashola said when the project eventually comes on stream, it would significantly help in easing the movement of people in the state.
“Also, we have built a number of jetties and ferry terminals and some others are being completed in Mile 2, in Badore, in Osborne and Ipakodo in Ikorodu, Ibeshe.
“From just about 50,000 passengers per month in 2007, we are moving no fewer than 1,600,000 people on water and we have not finished.
“We have already about 200 ferries licenced ,owned by private companies . So, what we are already doing on land in terms of improvement of transport infrastructure, we are also doing on water.
“And what we expect to see when all the jetties are commissioned is expansion, bigger capacity ferries, and a more efficient water transport system,“ he said.
The governor said the addition of the new 100 buses to existing ones operating under the state`s BRT system would improve access to services.
While commending Metro buses for keying into the vision of the government for efficient transport system with the buses, he said government would continue to partner with the private sector to improve services.
The governor expressed delight that the new buses, apart from expanding BRT services, would also provide over 1000 instant jobs for residents.
On the problem of rickety buses, Fashola attributed the situation to non-availability of spare parts and the problem of high exchange rate.
He, however, said the government was trying its best to get some of the bad buses to the roads through the building of additional repair yards and sourcing of spare parts abroad.
Fashola said the government was passionate about the state`s development and would continue to pursue efforts to improve the lives of residents.(NAN)
