…Plans Night Operation For BRT

In fulfillment of the electioneering campaign promise of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos State Government has intensified efforts on the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative aimed at lighting up every nook and cranny of the State.

Already, most major highways and streets have been lightened up, while massive repair of street lights are being carried out in other strategic places.

In keeping faith with the actualization of the project targeted at creating an enabling environment that will ensure 24-hour power supply to residents in the next two years, Governor Ambode had set up an Advisory Council chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Oluranti-Adebule, with a charge on them to make electricity available to Lagosians for both business and domestic use.

Governor Ambode had equally urged individuals and corporate bodies to light up their streets and neighborhood, with a promise that such gestures would be duly rewarded and recognized by the State.

The main idea behind the setting up of the Advisory Council was said to have been for members, who were drawn from the public and private sector, to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Power to actualize the dream.

Speaking on the progress made so far on the project, a source said: “If you notice, in the past few months, if you move from Berger to Lekki, Ikorodu to Lagos Island, the entire Ikeja axis, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and so on, it is very clear that there are more street lights in Lagos today more than ever before.”

While expressing confidence in the sincerity of the Ambode administration, the source however expressed hope that government would be able to sustain the project and make sure that street lights are on at all times in the State.

When contacted, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo confirmed the efforts being made by government toward lighting up every nook and cranny of the State, and recalled that same were in line with the campaign promise made by Governor Ambode to the people.

Oluwo said to underscore the commitment of government, arrangement has been concluded on having Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses to work at night once the light up project is completed.

He said: “This is one of the campaign promises made to the people by the Governor and just like he has fulfilled others, this project will not be an exception.

“The intention of government is to light up all highways in the State. In fact, the Governor is about to embark on 114 road reconstruction which will be done two per each Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the State with walkways and street lights.

“You see, the street light project is more or less complimentary to the security equipment worth N4.8 billion recently donated by the Governor to the police, and the ultimate goal is that when all the street lights are on, we will start having BRT buses working at night.

“You will recall that the Governor also promised to make Lagos city a 24-hour economy, this exactly is the change that the people voted for. We just appeal and pray that the Governor will continue to have the energy and resources to consummate all the promises and Lagos will be in the real sense of the word a megacity.”

“We are assuring Lagosians that the process of lighting up every corner of the state has begun in earnest and we are not going to stop until we achieve our aim”, Oluwo said.