Daud Olatunji
In a bid to address challenges such as rural-urban migration and rising transportation costs, the Ogun State government has introduced a comprehensive transportation system.
The State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Gbenga Dairo, stater this while speaking in Abeokuta on Tuesday, outlined the ambitious plan.
He highlighted its collaborative development with the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (UKFCDO) and experts from Olabisi Onabanjo University.
The initiative, already in the early stages of implementation, aims to provide an affordable, safe, and sustainable transportation system that caters to both rural and urban areas.
The recently launched Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus scheme, initiated on the Adatan – Ita Osin route and extended to the Mowe-Ibafo-Berger route, serves as a pilot project.
Dairo emphasized the plan’s broader objectives, including testing the coexistence of formal and informal transportation systems.
The state capital, Abeokuta, serves as a case study, with intentions to expand the scheme to other parts of the state in the coming months.
Addressing the unique challenges faced by Ogun State, Dairo pointed out its predominantly rural nature and differences from the densely populated Lagos State.
He said the transportation plan must account for numerous smaller towns, villages, corridor locations, and border areas with Lagos, such as Ota, Ojodu-Abiodun, Ogijo.
“We already have a partnership with UKFCDO funded consultants on the introduction of a transport authority,” Dairo noted, highlighting ongoing efforts to establish the necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks for the plan’s success.
Despite the complexities, Dairo assured the public of the government’s commitment, emphasizing the importance of patience and cooperation.
Key issues such as parking, route systems, and various agencies are under active consideration.
Beyond the road-based transportation scheme, the commissioner shed light on the state’s interest in rail transport development.
Collaborating with Lagos, plans include extending the red line railway into locations like Ijoko, Ifo, Kajola, Papalanto.
Additionally, talks are underway with investors to connect the Agro Cargo Airport to Lagos State via rail.
Dairo concluded by addressing the government’s plans for other transportation modes, including inter-city schemes, high-capacity buses, and alternative fuels.
He expressed optimism in the sector’s revenue generation potential, emphasizing the intention to recover 70% of the investment over time and the establishment of a Transport Fund to facilitate plan realization.
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