By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to commence the construction of certain infrastructure aimed at ensuring seamless implementation of the Non-Motorized Transport Plan, NMT.
This came as the state government and stakeholders met to map out traffic management strategies in anticipation of the commencement of Lekki Deep Sea Port operations which will impact traffic flow along the Lekki/Epe corridor.
Speaking at the State maiden edition of “Car Free Day,” on Sunday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, stated that in the construction of some of the terminals, bicycle parking has been included to encourage the citizenry to embrace NMT, adding that his administration is making tremendous efforts to make transportation in the state more effective, efficient and sustainable through its several infrastructural, policy, and institutional reforms to curb the looming dangers of the climate change.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, explained that the Car Free Day was an avenue for a city like Lagos to appraise the state of its road network and create an innovative way of making NMT equitable, effective and sustainable in the state.
He reassured that the celebration of the Car Free Day in the state would create a paradigm shift in the culture needed for the transformation of the city of Lagos.
Oladeinde, reassured that the infrastructure to support NMT would be put in place to ensure seamless movement for the commuting public, stressing that the decision was important as transportation is the biggest culprit of carbon emissions affecting the environment negatively.
He also reaffirmed that bicycle lane will be created for Cyclists on the road to encourage the use of bicycles which will benefit the public by ensuring pollution-free environments, road safety and improved health for every individual regardless of their age.
“The Ministry of Transportation is working with Physical Planning and Urban Development Ministry to pilot the NMT policy and sustain it,” the commissioner stated.
Representing the Managing Director, Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Osa Konyeha, revealed that the agency has concluded the first phase implementation of the Lagos Sidewalk Pilot Project on Catholic Mission Street/Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, which has enhanced walking access to St. Nicholas Hospital, Kings College, Lagos High Court, Federal Court of Appeal, Tafawa Balewa Square, which is home to a multi-storey office/shopping complex and one of the major Origin-Destination.
On deep sea port, Oladeinde said the move has become necessary to avert the traffic challenges similar to the one experienced at Apapa Tin Can Port given the large number of trucks expected to ply the Lekki-Epe axis when the Lekki Deep Sea Port commences operations.
He added that the state government was being proactive to ensure that trucks are properly managed through an effective Call-Up System, hence the need for continuous review of strategies by the stakeholders’ forum.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said the state government’s partnership with Trucks Transit Parks Ltd, an electronic truck call-up solution provider, worked effectively in managing the menace of trucks in Apapa Tin Can Port.
He assured that the same experience used to solve the Apapa gridlock would be replicated at the Lekki Epe axis when the area starts experiencing an influx of trucks as a result of port activities.
Messrs. Truck Transit Parks promised to replicate the e-call-up system already in use to manage truck movement at Apapa and Tincan Ports which has succeeded in bringing sanity to the area.
Stakeholders in attendance agreed to collaborate to ensure that the proposed traffic management system works to benefit everyone.(vanguard)