9th June, 2014
By Ayo Afuwape
With the termination of military rule in Nigeria and the subsequent return to democratic rule in 1999, the Nigerian people had hoped for life more abundant. Available indices and parameters, nevertheless, are far from justifying the fulfilment of the expectations and yearnings of the people.
It is, however, not all so gloomy across the country in terms of provision of dividends of democracy. In Lagos state, for instance, the state government has been keeping faith with the aspiration of the people by using the annual Democracy Day (29th of May every year) celebration to deliver dividends of democracy to Lagosians rather than embarking on pointless fanfare and timbering vain sounds of merry-making. It will be recalled that the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge was handed over for the use of Lagosians during the 2013 Democracy Day celebration. The 1.38km long bridge, a bonus to the infrastructure longings of Lagosians and the nation, connects Ikoyi-Alexander Street to Lekki-Admiralty Way without stress.
Similarly, the state governor, while marking the annual Democracy Day in 2012, commissioned and presented the equally innovative Traffic Radio 96.1 to Lagosians. Prior to this time, there was no radio station in the country that strictly dedicated to traffic matters. The establishment of the Traffic Radio is part of the responses of the state government to traffic management in the state.
Through the traffic radio, motorists and commuters now have first hand information on transportation and traffic news, traffic alerts and diversions, while they drive or before leaving their homes. In case of accidents and other emergencies on the roads, information which would enable motorists avoid such routes are broadcast in addition with tips on alternative routes through this radio.
Equally, the station has formed an invaluable avenue for the education of the people on best traffic and road use practices as well as producing a feedback system for data and correspondence between the government and the populace, which has thus far been helping to achieve best results in traffic management and control.
Continuing in the same tradition, the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, recently handed over the newly reconstructed Yaya Abatan Road, Ogba, in commemoration of 2014 Democracy Day. The new improve Yaya Abatan road would surely ease traffic congestion and aid vehicular traffic in the Ogba axis.
The road, which links Ogba-Ijaiye with Iju Road, is quite strategic as it connects major roads such Oyemekun Street, Kayode Street, College Road extension and Haruna Street.
The Governor declared at the event that investment in infrastructure renewal remains the only genuine service a good government could provide for the people, regardless of citizenries’ social classes. It is in view of the critical nature of public transportation to the overall effectiveness of other sectors that the state government has been particularly focusing on the sector to meet the yearnings of the people.
Without doubt, the efficiency with which people, goods and services can move from one point to the other largely determines the quality of life of the society. Lagos population, according to the United Nations projections, will be 20 million by 2015 making it the 3rd largest city in the world.
With over 3 million cars and 100,000 commercial vehicles on the roads (when the national average is 11 vehicles per kilometre), Lagos daily records an average of 227 vehicles per kilometre of roads. This makes it imperative for government to vigorously pursue policies that could transform the sector.
Consequently, the state government has set a defining standard of specifically adding value to the transportation sector, on every Democracy Day celebration, with the handing over of transportation related infrastructure . The commitment of the state government to improving the transportation sector in Lagos is very defining because it affects the prices of goods and services, improves quality infrastructure, defines how easily the children can get to school and, indeed, the productivity of the entire economy. Addressing the transportation and traffic challenges of a complex metropolis like Lagos has been a major priority of government.
The BRT initiative, therefore, represents a positive indicator of an aspiring mega city. The BRT is designed to make people’s movement within the metropolis faster and cheaper. Within its first year of operation, over 52 million passengers were carried on the high capacity buses plying dedicated bus lanes between CMS and Mile 12 as well as Ikorodu.
However, the need to exploit alternative means of transportation mode cannot be over-emphasized given the complex nature of the sector in the state. One of such other alternatives being exploited by the government with passion is water transportation through which government has already identified seven corridors for development and mass transportation.
Presently, the Ikorodu-Marina corridor has become operational and Lagosians have started benefitting from the innovations associated with the ferry trip that lasts one hour five minutes. Certainly, the ferry service in Ikorodu has brought significant changes to the lifestyle of people in that part of the state.
The park and ride system ( park your vehicle at the terminal, board the ferry, return later to pick your vehicle) has brought down the blood pressure of many hypertensive patients, as they no longer have to rush for buses, lose valuables to pick pockets, get stuck in road traffic for hours or be subjected to the rudeness of drivers and conductors, as well as nuisance of hawkers.
It has further made it easier for passengers and members of their families to manage their time very well. Equally, there are environmental benefits through reduced noise and air pollution of road transportation and attendant health benefits through reduced respiratory diseases.
Democracy, as previously stated, is meant to lift the standard of living of the people. It is in order to ensure that this is achieved that the Lagos State Government has been reshaping the transportation sector in the state. In view of its decisiveness to other sectors in the society, oiling the wheel of transportation in the state is, perhaps, the best way to consolidate democracy in the society.
•Afuwape is of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.