Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated 500 units of ‘First and Last Mile’ buses to provide a better alternative to commercial motorcycles (okada).
Sanwo-Olu said his administration was keen on improving the quality of life of people in the state and reducing traffic congestion.
He said, “The launch of the First and Last Mile (FLM) bus scheme today 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. It is also in fulfilment of one of the measures we promised as a solution to the security situation discussed at our recent security stakeholders’ town hall meeting.”
Sanwo-Olu also noted that the buses would be sent to communities as a means of addressing the security risks posed by okadas.
“As a responsible Government, we are launching this scheme in response to two major issues. One is the alarming statistics of fatal accidents recorded from the operations of okadas in Lagos between 2016 and 2019, and the use of okadas for crime. The goal is the full implementation of a safer and more efficient alternative transport solution,” he said.
He enjoined the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria to oversee the maintenance and protection of the buses.
(Punch)