Protocol

Today’s commissioning of the Mile 12 – Ikorodu BRT extension and formal flag off of the bus operation is a milestone in public transportation system in Lagos State.  It is a celebration of the delivery of world class transport infrastructure that will bring comfort and convenience to commuters in our State particularly to residents of Ikorodu and those who use this road to connect other parts of the State and beyond.

The BRT system was initiated as part of the strategies to modernise the public transport system as we have it in other major City-States around the world. It is intended to provide efficient service that will encourage patronage by the middle class thereby reducing the number of private vehicles on our roads.

Today, the BRT system has to a large extent lived up to that expectation. The first BRT system was launched in March 2008 along the Mile 12 – CMS corridor. This Twenty-Two kilometre (22km) BRT corridor has moved over Two Hundred and Fifty (250) Million passengers in the last seven years. The extension being commissioned today is an improvement on the shortcomings noticed on the Mile 12 to CMS corridor. This upgraded system, known as the BRT classic with the BRT lanes running in the median will provide better service in all ramifications

Let me use this opportunity to once again reiterate the commitment of this administration to effectively address the issue of traffic congestion and ensuring significant improvement in public transportation in the State.

This government is committed to improving on the road transport network, the water transportation system, the public transport infrastructure and most importantly attract the needed investment to fund our Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), which is already being implemented.

The strategic transport master plan is a 30-year plan that will deliver to us a truly world class integrated public transport system with Six Rail Lines, One Mono-Rail, 14 BRT corridors, Three Cable Car Corridors and 26 developed Water Routes.

As part of this vision, we are working towards commencing operation of the first phase of the Blue Line Rail Project in the next 12 months so that Lagosians will start to feel the benefits of a world-class rail system.

I congratulate the operator of the Mile 12 to Ikorodu BRT extension for believing in Lagos State and investing in the acquisition of about 434 buses for this operation. I also thank Sterling Bank Plc for the financial support provided to the operator and this operation. I urge other financial institutions to take a cue and support our partners.

I salute the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), for a job well done. LAMATA has become an institution which the World Bank presents to other cities having the same transport challenge as Lagos as a case study to learn from.

I thank all the stakeholders involved in this project. I must mention in particular the World Bank, French Development Agency and the Environment Facility (GEF) for their technical and financial support which contributed immensely to making this project a reality. I look forward to more of such contributions and support in the future.

The scope of this project consists of

• 6 Pedestrian bridges
• 4 Bus Terminals
• Expansion of Mile 12 – Ikorodu Road
• 434 BRT buses
• The Majidun Terminal which has
  • 8 Mechanic Workshops with warehouse
  • Washing bay
  • Fuel dumps
  • Power House, Conveniences, Generators, Water filtration System, etc

All these at a cost of Thirty Billion Naira (N30b) sponsored by the French Development Agency, World Bank and Lagos State Government.

I cannot end this address without acknowledging the efforts of my predecessors; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu under whom this project was conceived and Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola under whom this project was initiated and substantially implemented. I salute your vision and courage in setting up the BRT system.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we still have some way to go in building the transportation system Lagos State deserves. The challenges before us are daunting but we will not be discouraged. More than ever, we are committed to turn our challenges to opportunities and ride on them to create a future we will all be proud of.

We are on our way to creating palliatives to the Mile 12 Gridlock. In another Five Weeks, we should see changes.

It is now my pleasure to formally launch the Smart Transportation for Lagos campaign and flag off the operation of the Mile 12 to Ikorodu BRT extension to the Glory of God, the benefit of mankind and the growth of Lagos State and Nigeria.

Thank you and God bless Lagos State.

Itesiwaju eko lo je gbogbo wa logun.

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

Governor,

Lagos State