A Road is not just a Road: Transporting Lagos

Transportation infrastructure connects us to rest of the world, sending a clear statement that
Nigeria is open for business. Our roads, bridges, railway tracks, sea and air ports connect
businesses to their market, people to jobs, the sick to hospitals, the youth to schools and loved
ones to each other. What this means is that a road is not just a road; it represents thousands of
mothers who are able to get home from work in time to cook a meal for their family. A bridge is
not just a bridge; it represents thousands of unemployed people who can now seek work
further afield because the distance might no longer be an issue. Our sea and airports are not
just ports, they represent our connection with the world, allowing us to trade globally and
develop our economy thereby improving our standard of living.

I have had many conversations with Lagosians about the challenges they have faced as a result
of transport challenges. Abikes story is one that moved me but it is not uncommon amongst
Lagosians. This was about two years ago

A mother of 2 children, she wakes up at 4am to start preparations for her day. She fetches 5
buckets of water from the communal tap in her compound. One bucket for her husband, one
bucket for each child, one for the kitchen so she can make breakfast and the last for her, so she
too can take a shower after giving the kids a bath.

By 4.45, Abike and her husband, with two kids in tow, have begun the slow arduous journey.
Their first stop is the childrens school, which while it officially opens at 7.30, unofficially opens
earlier to allow working parents drop their kids of a little earlier. Once the kids have been
dropped off, the couple makes their way across third mainland bridge, a journey that can
sometimes take over two hours. By the time they arrive at work, they would have spent
Considerable amount of time on the road.

My vision for our great state is one where our inhabitants have a greatly improved quality of
life. One where mothers and fathers do not have to spend over six hours in traffic every day just
to get to and from work. This quality of life is largely dependent on the quality and efficiency of
the transport links and systems. Without adequate transportation infrastructure we cannot
create the opportunities that will allow us to achieve our aspirations.

Reliable, well maintained transportation reduces transportation costs and other associated
costs of doing business. It also makes a wider market accessible, which has a positive impact on
growth. Growth is at the heart of our vision for Lagos State. I am proud of our accomplishments
thus far and the considerable steps we have taken to realize this vision.

Our Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is one of such accomplishments. It runs from Mile 12
through Ikorodu Road and Funsho Williams Avenue up to CMS and is currently 22 km long.

Lagos State has been working hard on plans to integrate the BRT with rail and ferry transport
networks which will cut down travel time further, increase the standard of living and create
opportunities to develop our economy. The execution of these plans, like any vision, requires
continuity, consistency and great resolve.

There is no doubt that the BRT has impacted positively on the lives of the average Lagosian.
Abikes day now begins a little later- highlighting the direct impact the BRT has had on her and
many Lagosians quality of life. Sometimes, she ferries across the lagoon, creating a significant
savings. This is possible because from just 300 thousand water transportation trips three years
ago, our waterways now transport four million passengers on a monthly basis. There is certainly
more to do.

Transportation infrastructure is not just about roads, railways and ports. It is about realizations
of our individual and collective aspirations and the realization of our vision for a mega city. We
must continue on the present path in other to reach that destination.

Eko oni baje!!! Eko Atesiwaju!!!.