… Says Rail Transit Will Significantly Improve Commuting Within Metropolis
The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Green Line Rail Mass Transit Project, which is to span the expanse of the Lekki corridor within the state.
This revelation was made by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi in response to questions raised by the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation led by Hon. Temitope Adewale during a working visit of the Committee to the Ministry, recently.
The Transport Commissioner stated that the addition of the Green Line to the existing Blue Line, which has transported over two million passengers since its inception, and the Red Line, which will convey 750,000 passengers daily at its kick-off, will significantly improve commuting within the state. He also said that the plan for the second phase of the Blue Line, Mile 2 to Okokomaiko is underway.
Osiyemi also disclosed that the Ministry is currently working on creating two Interchanges to ensure the interconnectivity of the modes, especially in areas where all of the available modes exist (Road, Water and Rail), adding that the interconnectivity of the modes was deliberate to ensure that there is no lacuna in the implementations of the strategic plans.
Speaking on the areas of concern raised about the Lekki-Epe Corridor and the impact of the refinery along the axis, the Commissioner elaborated on the modality of the E-call Up System. He explained that
seven trailer parks are available to prevent trucks from loitering on the corridor, as well as an RFID, which will ensure compliance with the e-call-up system as it will expose any truck not scheduled to be at the port or parks.
He also revealed that plans are underway to ensure containers are moved via water on barges in tens to further reduce the congestion on the corridor.
In affirmation, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olawale Musa explained that the number one hindrance to fully digitised enforcement is the lack of data.
He decried that many motorists, especially commercial vehicles, submit incorrect data to the Government due to the use of agents to procure vital vehicular and driver documentation, hence the continued use of physical enforcement. He further stated that the Ministry has prioritised the training of its enforcement and traffic management officers to ensure that they deliver on providing sanity on Lagos roads.
The Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Hon. Temitope Adewale applauded the Ministry for living up to its responsibility as the first on the THEMES Plus Agenda. He enjoined the Ministry to provide a project status report to enable the House of Assembly to monitor and stay abreast of the plans of the Ministry and as well support the projects in line with their functions as representatives of the people.
Other members of the Committee in attendance include Hon. Afinni Olanrewaju, Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu, Hon. Olootu Emmanuel and Hon. Kazeem. O and other Officers from the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Management of the Ministry of Transportation.
