23rd June, 2017
The Lagos State Government has adopted various strategies to ease public transportation in the state.
The strategies include but not limited to advocacy, support and collaboration from stakeholders towards stimulating the socio-economic development of the State.
Disclosing this on Friday was the Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi who was the Guest Speaker at the Second Edition of Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series with the theme, ‘Support System for Public Transportation: the Lagos State Perspective.’
Elegushi stated that while good transportation system is sine qua non to economic growth and development with special reference to the efficiency with which commuters move their goods and services from a location to another as obtainable in other parts of the world, public transportation in a complex city like Lagos, demands various strategies as being adopted by this Administration to ensure the smooth flow of traffic as envisioned through the establishment of various State transportation and traffic Management Agencies.
The Acting Commissioner opined that the present Administration at inception, embarked on on-the-spot assessment of roads across the State to enable so as to fashion out maintenance strategies and the construction of new ones, adding that the construction of bus terminals and ferry jetties, laybys, and other infrastructural renewal projects explains the concern of the State Government to ensure free flow of traffic, road safety and socio-economic development of the State.
Towards further re-energising the transportation sector, Elegushi stated that an integrated Public Transportation System will soon kick start with a N30 Billion Sinking Fund for the Bus Reform Project, the highlight of which is the provision, over a 3-year period, of 5,000 buses with carriage capacity of between 30-70 people that will be operated through franchise in multiples of 50, 100 and 200 buses.
Earlier in his address of welcome, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde who was represented by the Director, Information Production in the Ministry, Mr. Abiola Fagunwa said the Administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has in the last two years opened up the State to a better and more efficient road network with the extensive constructions in the State.
He added that the Administration is also fully committed to the welfare of its citizenry through enacting industry-friendly laws and implementation of inclusive policies that will enable public-private sectors initiatives to thrive.
He added that part of the Ambode-led Administration’s investment towards supporting young entrepreneurs is the release of N25 Billion to the State Employment Trust Fund to support viable entrepreneur’s ideas and start-ups.