Sanwo-Olu identifies Rail & Waterways as alternatives to road transport in Lagos

… Promises to tackle Apapa gridlock in 100 days

Abiodun Oba

The All Progressives Congress government in Lagos State shall find an enduring solution to the perennial traffic jam in the state with the creation of alternatives to road transport system.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress government in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said he had identified about 60 points where traffic was usually heavy in the state, adding that his administration planned to adopt integrated transport system as well as direct traffic to the free lanes during rush hours.

Sanwo-Olu, promised to complete the rail track currently under construction and invest in water transportation in order to reduce the number of people travelling by road on a daily basis.

The APC candidate stated that waterways that required dredging would be attended to so that boats could travel fast, adding that the complaint of low returns by boat operators would be looked into.

He said, “Our focus is beyond just road travels within the state. We are thinking about an integrated transportation system befitting of a megacity state like Lagos. One third of Lagos is water and that suggests that we have a huge water transportation opportunity and alternative. The waterways need to be properly mapped out to help navigation.

“We also have the rail project that we need to complete, especially the Blue line from Okokomaiko to CMS. We need to complete the track. It is about funding and we will find a way of completing that rail project. Lagos needs a transportation system outside the road; a transportation system that can move thousands of people daily.”

He urged Lagosians to change their orientation about the way they use the road, saying some behaviours, aiding to the traffic congestion, should be dropped in the interest of everybody.

Speaking on waste management, Sanwo-Olu said waste problem would be better tackled if individuals could start to sort their waste and stop mixing organic waste with plastics and bottles.

He promised to make better the over 1,300 public primary schools in the state and improve on the infrastructure in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions owned by the state government because of the importance of education.

He believed the about N1tn budget size of the state was too small compared to the quantum of infrastructure and services to be rendered.

The APC governorship standard bearer, however, explained that if elected, his administration would not over-burden the people with tax but would be creative in managing the state’s resources.

Sanwo-Olu added that more people would be attracted into the tax net.

Meanwhile, The Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says if he is elected governor, he would tackle the Apapa gridlock within the first 100 days of his administration.

Sanwo-Olu said this on Sunday at the Lagos governorship debate, which was organised by The Platform.

Asked what would be his top three priorities within the first 100 days of his government if voted for, the APC governorship candidate said he would tackle the traffic problem in Lagos.

He said, “Out of the 62 traffic gridlocks that we have identified, some are low-hanging that we can resolve within the first 60 days.

“Some are short- to medium- and long-term; so, the first 60 days is to solve the ones that are low hanging, which are about 20.”

Within the first 100 days, I will tackle the gridlock at Apapa. I will need to clear up all the traffic and all the trailers at Apapa. I’ll make sure it’s a nightmare we will not see again.”

Sanwo-Olu also said within that same time, he would engage the private and public sectors on how to drive the economy.

He said, “We will have an international discourse with all the stakeholders in the private sector to ensure that the Lagos 21st Century kicks off earnestly.

“Within the same space, I’ll convene a town hall meeting to tell the public service that we have new ways that we will be engaging ourselves. We are going to be making promises to Lagosians and all issues that concern them will be resolved.”

Sanwo-Olu also said he would ensure his cabinet was formed and running within the first 100 days.