..Says connecting rail station under construction
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has commissioned The Yaba Bus Terminal.
Speaking at the ceremony,he said the ongoing Yaba Train Station would be integrated with the Yaba Bus terminal to make Yaba a major transport interchange.
Said he, “Any visitor to Yaba will confirm the huge changes that have occurred in the last few years particularly in this location where we are seated. No one would have thought that a magnificent structure such as this bus terminal could be sited here. However, this bus terminal has become necessary for the daily commute of our teeming population- and this Government is proud to have facilitated its construction.”
He said, “The facility being commissioned today is a world-class terminal from which buses will originate and terminate. I am happy to inform you that in the next 18 months, the Yaba Bus Terminal will be integrated with the Red Line Yaba Rail Station that is being constructed a few metres from this place.
“Once the rail line is completed, passengers will be able to choose the transportation mode they prefer to get to their destinations.
“Yaba Bus Terminal reflects our vision for regulated bus services, which the Lagos State Government currently champions. This terminal mirrors the standard bus services provided in the past by the now defunct Lagos City Transport Service (LCTS) and the Lagos State Transport Services (LSTC).
“The goal of our administration’s Bus Reform Initiative is to bring our bus transport system up to par with what obtains internationally. The initiative is a subset of our Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP)- the all-encompassing guide for everything being done to reform our bus transport sector.
“You will recall that I recently launched the First and Last Mile (FLM) Bus Scheme, a community-based transportation initiative to take commuters from the inner routes to the main transit corridors to join either the standard or BRT buses to their destinations.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that his administration was working on completing the Blue and Red Rail Lines out of our six rail and monorail lines.
“In the last two years, we have been working assiduously to complete these transportation projects. This shows our commitment to their completion and eventual operation.
I acknowledge the support of Lagosians while these projects are being implemented. I am aware of what you go through on a daily basis, and I apologize for the inconveniences. I assure you that these projects are for the good of everybody, and all that is required is your patience and support.”
He appealed to the residents of the community to protect the bus terminal and all other projects that are being provided for their good.
He said, “It is our collective responsibility to protect our infrastructure. If you notice any abnormality, do not hesitate to say something about it. It is your civic duty to report wrongdoing and the destruction of our public assets/infrastructure to the security agencies and government officials for prompt action.”
On his part, Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde lauded the commitment of the State government over the completion of the iconic project.
He said that the Yaba Bus Terminal would be the third to be commissioned by Mr. Governor in the life of this administration.
“Previously, Mr. Governor had commissioned the Oyingbo Bus Terminal and recently the MMA Mafoluku Bus Terminal. Other terminals at Ifako-Ijaiye, Ojota and Ajah are at different stages of completion but we are optimistic that they would be completed before the end of this year” he said.
