By Adeyinka Aderibigbe
The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has assured the Lagos State Government of prompt implementation of transport projects for which the agency is providing funding and technical support.
AFD through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is supporting the Lagos State Government to develop eight Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) and two transport interchanges, under the Phase 1 (LSTMPP1).
AFD Task Team Leader, Mr. David Margonszternd informed during a mission of the Agency’s team to LAMATA that the French development agency was determined to support the Lagos transport system and make the city of Lagos competitive. He explained that AFD would provide fund for two transport interchanges at Marina and Mile 2 and eight corridors for quality bus operations.
The bus corridors are Yaba-Lawanson-Cele and Lawanson-Ijesha, Ojuelegba-Idi Araba-Ilasamaja, Anthony-Oshodi, Oshodi-Onipanu, Ketu-Alepere-Ajelogo, Iyana Ipaja-Ayobo, Iju Ishaga – Abule Egba and Iyana Iba (LASU) – Igando.
AFD is supporting the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) for the development of eight Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) and two transport interchanges under the Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan Project Phase 1 (LSTMPP1).
AFD Task Team Leader, Mr. David Margonszternd informed during a mission of the Agency’s team to LAMATA that the French development agency was determined to support in impact the Lagos transport system and make the city of Lagos competitive. He explained that AFD would provide fund for two transport interchanges at Marina and Mile 2 and eight corridors for quality bus operations.
Mr. Margonszternd stated that QBCs give dedicated road space and traffic signal priority to buses in order to reduce journey times and improve service consistency with the encouraging people to change from cars to buses and thus reduce traffic congestion.
LAMATA’s Managing Director, Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo while welcoming the team informed of the vision of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as contained in the first pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S. development agenda on Traffic Management and Transportation.
The main strategy of the administration, according to Engr. Akinajo is to harness both public and private investment in the development of transport infrastructure, provision of rolling stock and operations.
She underscored urgent need for the commencement of implementation of the two interchanges at Mile 2 and Marina to meet the timelines for the operations of the first phases of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue and Red line projects projected for the fourth quarter of 2022.