By Moses Adeniyi
The Lagos State Government has declared the taking-off of the Sanwo-Olu led Administration’s initiative of developing a technologically based integrated transport system.
The intregrated system is to be developed in a bid to enhance effective transportation and decongest the disturbing road traffic in Lagos.
The commencement of the Initiative was on Friday declared to kick-start by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu with the official launching of Uber pilot boats in Lagos.
The Governor described the system as a single system based on technology, which will integrate conventional road and rail transport with other modern means of tranportation.
Sanwo-Olu has disclosed that development of rail and waterways infrastructures will play a strategic role of importance in the integrated system.
According to Sanwo-Olu, partnership with Uber Technologies among other international and local transport companies will play a critical role in the development of the system.
He mentioned that the move is a demonstration of his Administration’s commitment to the first pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S. transformation agenda.
According to the Governor, the over 20 percent Water capacity of the entire Lagos territorial space is a plus to the integrated system which his Administration will put to productive use to optimize it’s benefit for transportation means.
Sanwo-Olu has disclosed that his Administration is looking into developing the capacity of Waterways in the State to a strength that will capture about 20 percent of the entire Lagos population.
Speaking on the integrated system, Sanwo-Olu said, “we also understand the dynamics of how the traffic management of people who are using the waterways moves; (thus) we need to encourage other means so that we can get the traffic off the road.
“On the bus system, you also know that we are trying to make everything integrated. After we’ve even signed onto the Uber Application, the whole point is for us to have a single technology solution where we can use both the waterways, bus rapid system and ultimately we can also push further with the upcoming rail system.
The Governor has also stressed that the State will scale-up efforts to rapidly develop pending rail projects to make the rail system functional in comparison to other Smart City in the world.
He stressed that Lagos State is the only “subnational” (State Government) embarking on the magnitude of the ongoing rail projects in Nigeria.
Reiterating his commitment, Sanwo-Olu said “We are committed to ensure that we complete that rail project so that our master plan on integrated transportation system is not just a lip service; (but) it’s something that we are doing.”
Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde mentioned that the collaboration with Uber on water transportation is one among other strategic advances the State is making to ensure effective traffic management in Lagos.
He stressed that the vision of the Lagos State Government is to develop a multi-faced transport system on a technological world class standard.
Moreover, the General Manager, Uber West Africa, Lola Kazeem, has expressed gratitude to the State Government, stressing that plans are on the way to collaborate with the State for other upcoming transportation means.
The Managing Director, LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, described the new partnership with Uber Technologies as a part of the holistic plan of the Sanwo-Olu led Administration towards strengthening waterways transportation in Lagos.
