Almost exactly two years ago, we came to office with a promise to Lagosians to deliver a Greater Lagos. We have worked tirelessly since then to continue to fulfill this promise, through bold and decisive actions firmly anchored on our T.H.E.M.E.S developmental agenda.
In this regard, we are very much aware of the role transportation plays in the development of any economy. Indeed, it is the backbone of any thriving economy. Over the last two years, we have taken steps to birth and bequeath to Lagos State enduring transport infrastructure and systems, which future generations would be proud of our Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) is an ambitious road transportation effort, that encompasses a number of transport projects, including the construction of bus terminals and interchanges.
There are bus terminal projects in different stages of completion atAgege, Ojota, Ajah, and the NAHCO area of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. We shall soon commence the construction of two transport interchanges at Mile 2 and Marina.
These interchanges will serve as interconnecting hubs for commuters whose journeys require more than one mode of transport to get to their destinations. Closely affiliated to the Bus Reform Initiative are our robust rail and water travel transportation projects which are also gathering pace.
As regards our waterways, I am pleased to note that we are getting set to commission six (6) new ferries into our operational fleet; in addition to being at advanced stages in the construction and rehabilitation of fifteen (15) jetties across the State. Equally noteworthy is the fact that two of our Intra-City Light Rail Lines will become operational by the fourth (4th) quarter of 2022.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I have given you an extensive preamble into the transportation masterplan of our administration, so you can truly understand what we mean by a fully inter-modal transportation system which integrates all aspects of our roads, rail and waterways into a seamless network against the backdrop of where we are gathered today is a fleet of brand-new mini buses that we will be launching shortly as the newest component of our transformational Bus Reform Initiative, and also known as the ‘First and Last Mile Bus Scheme’ – “FLM”.
The FLM has been conceived, as the name implies, to take care of commuting between the main transit corridors and the hearts of our communities, where the bulk of our people reside and where the high capacity buses would normally not pass through. It is intended to connect various communities with one another.
This launch of the First and Last Mile (FLM) Bus Scheme is an important milestone in our quest to achieving the intermodal transport system which gives our teeming population the choices they deserve, reducing congestion and journey times, and improving the quality of life.
Very importantly, it is also about improving and guaranteeing the security of lives and properties of Lagosians. You will recall that in February 2020, the State Government restricted the operations of commercial motorcycles (“Okadas”) in six (6) Local Government Areas (LGAs), nine (9) Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), and 10 major highways in the State.
As a responsible government, we did this in response to two major issues: one, the alarming statistics of fatal accidents recorded from the operations of Okadas in the State between 2016 and 2019, and two, the exploitation of Okadas for the facilitation of crime across the metropolis.
Unfortunately, these safety and security concerns have persisted, more than one year after the rollout of these restrictions. Which is why, on Monday last week, we held a Town Hall Meeting to deliberate extensively on issues of security in Lagos State, with various stakeholders cutting across the fields of Law Enforcement; Civil Society Organizations; Labor Union Leaders; Royal Fathers and Religious Bodies.
It is instructive to note that some of the key resolutions from the town hall meeting identified various issues as being the root cause of the increase in crime rate being witnessed in the State.
Notable amongst these identified problems is the lingering menace of Okadas being used to perpetrate traffic robberies, carjacking, kidnapping, conveying arms, as well as other nefarious activities.
In response to the growing concern over the increased rate of crime in the State, the Stakeholders resolved unanimously and unequivocally to take certain key and bold steps to curb this escalating menace, and seek to restore peace and security once again in Lagos State.
As a responsive and progressive government committed to good governance which ensures all voices and opinions are heard, we assured the meeting of immediate and comprehensive measures to be unveiled in the coming days, to concretize some of the proposals and resolutions emanating from the Meeting. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, today’s launch of the FLM is therefore in fulfilment of one of the measures we promised as a solution to the security situation, and as discussed at our recent Security Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting. The goal is the full implementation of a safer and more efficient alternative transport solution, that takes out the need for Okadas and replaces them with the FLM buses, thus curbing the incidence of Okadarelated crimes and robberies.
Further to the launch of these buses, I am using this medium to restate our earlier pronouncement on the operations of commercial motorcycles (Okadas) and tricycles (Keke Napeps) in Lagos State. To reiterate, all Okadas and Keke Napeps are restricted from operating in the following:
• Six (6) Local Government Areas: Surulere; Lagos Mainland; Lagos Island; Ikeja; Eti Osa and Apapa;
• Nine (9) Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs): Apapa-Iganmu; Coker-Aguda; Itire-Ikate; Yaba; Ojodu; Onigbongbo; Lagos Island East; Iru-Victoria Island; Ikoyi, Obalende; and
• Eleven (11) major highways in the State: Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; Apapa-Oshodi Expressway; Oworonshoki- Oshodi Expressway; Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway; Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway; Third Mainland Bridge; Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway; Lagos-Badagry Expressway; Funsho Williams Avenue; Agege Motor Road and Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road.
There will be zero tolerance for defaulting Okada riders who insist on riding their Okadas within the restricted areas. We will be charging our law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce this restriction, as we will be going in heavy on recalcitrant offenders who persist in flouting the restrictions.
We will continue to monitor and assess the situation over the next one-two months and tweaking our response appropriately to ensure that ultimately, we are winning the war against crime and criminality associated with Okadas. If we do not see any improvement, we will have no choice but to go for a full and complete ban on Okada activities in the state.
For ease of implementation of the new FLM Bus Scheme, Lagos has been clearly outlined into seven zones, as follows:
Zone 1 covers Ikeja and Ketu
Zone 2: Oshodi, Mushin, and Surulere
Zone 3: Berger, Yaba and Oyingbo
Zone 4: Lagos Island, Ajah and Ibeju Lekki
Zone 5: Iyana-ipaja and Agege
Zone 6: Mile 2, Iyana-Iba and Ajeromi, and
Zone 7: Ikorodu
Zone 8: Epe and Badagry
For a successful operation of the scheme, we have recognized the roles of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) as major stakeholders in the entire Bus Reform Initiative.
All the Unions’ branches within the FLM zones will participate actively in the implementation of the new Bus Scheme.
We shall continue to enforce all the stipulations and prohibitions of the Road Traffic Law, including driving against traffic, popularly known as “One Way” driving. Let me highlight the fact that driving against traffic now attracts a 3-year jail term, for repeat offenders.
First-time offenders are liable to a one-year jail term in addition to their vehicle being forfeited to the State Government.
The Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law, which has placed a ban on street trading, equally remains in full force. There are consequences for violating this law. I want to therefore appeal to our market men and women to desist from trading in all unauthorized areas.I wish to appeal to all Lagosians to cooperate with the State Government in our collective vision of making Lagos a livable place for all, a State where legitimate dreams are achieved; a State where we all carry out our legitimate activities within the ambit of the law; where there is respect for the safety and convenience of other residents.
When we break the laws of the land, what we are doing is expressing disregard for the well-being of others, as these laws are made to ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
In the same vein, I wish to call on the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and all other stakeholders in the public transportation value chain, to ensure that these new buses are well maintained and protected, so that the lofty goals of the new service can be fully realized, and so that all those who have invested can derive maximum value from their investments.
Our Local Government and Local Council Development Area chairpersons must play their part in ensuring the roads are free from encumbrances likely to impede the smooth running of the buses.
I am also using this opportunity to charge our security and law enforcement agencies to be alive to the crucial role they have to play in the success of this new Scheme. You are expected to avoid any conduct that impedes or complicates the smooth running of the Scheme. Instead you must see yourselves as dutiful enforcers of the laws of the land, as well as facilitators of a successful implementation.
I want to also appeal to the operators of the FLM Bus Scheme to play according to the rules. We shall not shy away from imposing the maximum penalty in cases where existing agreements and extant Road Traffic Laws are infringed upon.
I would like to use this occasion to appreciate Providus Bank for providing the financial backing for the FLM Bus Scheme. Equally, I want to thank Origin Group, the vendor for the buses, for doing a great job and believing in our vision for an efficient and fit-forpurpose transport system for our people.
Let me also recognize and appreciate the huge work being done by the Lagos State transport family, in making sure we give a good account of ourselves under the Traffic Management and Transportation developmental pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda. I congratulate the Ministry of Transportation, and the Management of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), for making the FLM bus scheme a reality.
It is now my pleasure to formally commission the FLM Bus Scheme for passenger operations, for the use and benefit of the good people of our dear Lagos State.
Thank you and God bless.
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor of Lagos State
Tuesday, 18th May 2021
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