Babajide Sanwo-Olu, The Governor of Lagos State stated that the 38 kilometres long 4th Mainland bridge is now at the final stage and it’s expected to be the longest bridge in Africa.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu said this at the 3rd Nigeria Public Private Partnership Network (NPPPN) Forum 2021, a 3-day Conference tagged : ‘The Role of Public Private Partnership in the 2021-2025 National Development Plan’ organised by Public Private Partnership, Lagos in collaboration with Lagos State Government and held at Bon Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
He said:
“Other PPP projects include Major investment in the development of new maritime channels for commercial operations of modern water transportation, housing, Institutional investment in Radiology/Laboratory Testing Equipment – all using the PPP framework as an effective tool”
The governor said his administration has delivered on his campaign promises in his T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of making Lagos a smart city areas such as transportation, health, education, environment, security, among others.
Speaking on the proposed construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Sanwo-Olu said the contract is at the final stage of completion as all arrangements set for implementation.
He said:
“We, therefore, believe that the construction of the 37km 4th Mainland Bridge will significantly change the face of transportation and movement in Lagos State.
“The ground-breaking for the construction and building of the Bridge will happen before the end of this year. Our PPP concessionaires appear committed as they enter the final stage of the qualification process.
“All necessary funding has been secured by our partners.
The governor added that one of the future plans include: Oko-Oloyun and Idowu-Egba wooden bridges which link LASU Iba Road, Igando to Ayobo area in Alimosho local government area.
Speaking on the theme, ‘A Glimpse into the future,’ Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagosians should be with his administration over the ongoing construction projects all over the State, saying he is aware of some discomfort being experienced.
The Governor said, “Lagos is 0.4 per cent of Nigeria’s total landmass, with a population of 22 million, representing about 10 per cent of the country’s total population. Looking at the interaction between these figures, one will notice an obvious disproportion between population size and habitation space.
“This, among other reasons, explains the perennial congestion on Lagos roads and across the State. As a government, we have undertaken several innovative means of ensuring that citizens’ travel experiences are palatable.”
On the integrated mass transit system, Sanwo-Olu said, “From this day on, we are certainly heading in the direction that our city will become so connected by an Integrated Mass Transit System that a trip to the farthest part of the state will be reduced by half of the current travel time.
“We are focused on activating an intermodal transport system that gives Lagosians the options of commuting by Water, Road, and Rail.
“We are completing our intermodal bus terminals at Ajah, Abule Egba, Iju, Ojota and Anthony Village.
“This administration has raised funding for the completion of Phase 1 of the 27km Blue Line Rail Project traversing Okokomaiko to Marina, with a daily passenger capacity of 500,000.
“We flagged off the construction of the 37.5km Rail Mass Transit Red Line from Agbado to Marina. The rail corridor will move 1 million passengers daily when operating at full-capacity. The rail has 8 stations and 8 vehicle overpasses.
“We expect to see the first passenger movement on this rail transportation before the end of this administration.
“Since the beginning of this administration, we have consciously promoted water transportation as one of our intermodal commuting options available to our citizens. We are currently fifteen jetties, invested in passenger boats for the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), and built on-water satellite monitoring station for passengers’ safety in emergency situations”.
On Bus Reform Initiative, he said, “Our plan in the Bus Reform Initiative is to increase the First and Last Mile (FLM) Scheme to a fleet of 5,000 in the next 1 year. We also plan to introduce Lagos Ride under our Taxi Scheme. This will witness an initial injection of 1000 cars.
“This initiative is meant to give our commuters options either on our high-capacity buses, medium-capacity buses, or taxis, which will reduce their dependence on Okada (commercial motorcycle) as a means of transportation in our state.
“The Imota Rice mill is scheduled for completion this year. Upon completion, the production capacity of the Mill will be amongst the largest in the world and largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, producing 2.5million bags of 50kg rice annually.
“At full-capacity, the Rice Mills will provide a steady supply of 2.4million bags of 50kg rice to Lagosians and create more than 250,000 jobs.
“Coompleting these projects within the next 24 months will bring absolute transformation to the livelihoods and the economy of our dear State. We have spent the last 729 days laying the foundation for all these to happen seamlessly.”
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