France’s Minister of Development Commends Improved Public Transport in Lagos 

Duro Ikhazuagbe

France’s Minister of State for Development, Francophone and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, has expressed satisfaction with the level of support the European nation is giving to Lagos State in improving its public transport system.

The minister, who was in Nigeria to represent the French Government at the inauguration of Nigeria’s 16th President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, used the visit to connect with Lagos State authorities responsible for water and land transportation, which included a deep-dive session in projects supported by the French Development Agency (AFD).

Over the past 12 years, France through AFD has been investing US$700 million in the development of Lagos State including US$350 million to develop the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). This has contributed to reducing travel time and travel costs for millions of Lagosians and to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

After a briefing on urban mobility challenges at the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in the presence of the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, the minister embarked on a boat trip around Lagos island to see major infrastructures to be delivered under two key projects supported by France: the Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan (LSTMP) project and the Waterways Investment and Development of the Environment in Lagos State (WIDE-LAG) project.

On the boat trip, the minister could see Marina interchange hub to be developed under LSTMP from where the Blue Line of the metro system recently inaugurated by Lagos State starts, and could observe various ferry terminals to be upgraded by 2028 under the WIDE-LAG project at Ebute Ero, Lekki 1, Falomo and Victoria Island.

She expressed her happiness with what the partnership has been able to offer the state.

 “I was very impressed by my field visit this morning (on Thursday) and I can testify the excellent partnership between France and Lagos State,” she said.

She also emphasised that “France is committed to cutting down its greenhouse gas emissions by 75 per cent between 1990 and 2050 to reach carbon neutrality. I am therefore very happy to acknowledge that Nigeria and Lagos State in particular, are going in the same direction through the decarbonisation of the transport sector.”

The on-going LSTMP project aims to enhance access to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through the construction of four Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) for a total length of 28km, and to improve inter-modality through the provision of two interchange hubs that will connect metro, bus, ferry and taxis in Marina and Mile 2 to ensure seamless passenger transfer.

This project, financed by AFD through a €178million credit facility, and implemented by LAMATA will run from 2019 to 2025 and it is expected to benefit a total of 1.5 million daily users.

Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, further hinted on the initiatives of the state government to tackle urban mobility challenges in Lagos.

“LSTMP is part of the bold initiatives taken by this administration to tackle urban mobility challenges in Lagos. Lagosians spend an average 30 hours weekly in traffic and spend up to 40 per cent of their monthly incomes in it as against 15 per cent as per international standards.

“LSTMP will greatly contribute to reducing travel time and travel costs for millions of Lagosians taking Lagos State’s multi-modal transport system up to the next level.”

The WIDE-LAG project is the new initiative blossomed by Lagos State-AFD partnership. The project’s objective is to develop mass public Inland Waterways Transport in Lagos to transport 24 million commuters by waterways every year. The project will significantly reduce travel cost, allow great travel time savings and large reduction of CO² emissions.

It is also aimed to help in the development of six priority ferry routes covering a total length of 129km and the upgrade of 20 ferry terminals and jetties.

Lagos will also deploy the first electric vessels in Sub-Saharan Africa, being at the forefront of innovation.

This project implemented by LASWA could run over 2024-2029 and reach a total amount of €300 million including €110 million from AFD.

General Manager, LASWA, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, described water as a defining feature of Lagos.

“Water is a defining feature of Lagos. While it is seen as a challenge today, it should rather be envisioned as an asset for the economic and sustainable development of Lagos State. I am pleased to embark on this ambitious investment to make Lagos Africa’s Model Mega City through an attractive, innovative, and efficient mode of transportation. Lagos can certainly become an international benchmark for Inland Waterways Transit like Bangkok (Thailand) or Sidney in Australia.

“In Lagos, 20 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions are generated by the transport sector. With an estimated 22 million inhabitants today, Lagos’ population is expected to grow up to 40 million by 2040.”