The Lagos State Government on Tuesday disclosed plans to introduce about 2, 000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses before the end of 2024.
Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi disclosed this at ministerial press conference in Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday.
He added that government would inaugurate 231 electric vehicles by the end of June, 2024.
According to the commissioner, the government had begun deal with a private company under Public Private Partnership, PPP, on the acquisition of CNG buses which would be distributed in two batches of 1,000, scheduled to be introduced by the end of 2024.
Osiyemi stated that the measure was part of effort to alleviate the effects of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government on the residents.
“Lagos State Government is working with private operators under a PPP arrangement to launch over 2,000 CNG buses for residents to enjoy a carbon free emission atmosphere.
“We are also looking at introducing about 231 electric vehicles on our road to complement the existing fleet of vehicles using diesel and petrol,” he disclosed.
He said the initiative is to deliver cheaper, safer and more climate-friendly energy to residents and Nigerians in general.
Speaking further on enforcement, Mr. Osiyemi also explained that the recently introduced Traffic Management Solution Device (TMS) has successfully captured 26,816 real time traffic infringements over the last three months, making enforcement more effective and safe for officers to carry out.
The Commissioner also disclosed plan by the State Government to take the transportation system to another level, through introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses by private investors, assuring that the State Government’s commitment to public transportation is to promote a transport system that is integrated and give options to its citizens.
According to him, facilitating the daily transportation needs of nearly 25 million commuters within Lagos State, a series of strategic initiatives have consistently served as instruments pivotal in advancing the first pillar of the THEMES+ development agenda, noting that there will be an expansion of infrastructure within the metropolitan, with the development of deep port in Badagry and construction of 4th Mainland bridge which are expected to commence soon.
Pointing out that the renewed effort of the Government towards making Lagos transport seamless for commuters, the Commissioner also said that 250 electric cars have been shipped in by private investors to improve transportation in the State while conserving the environment from air pollution through emission.
The Commission for Information and Strategy Mr. Gbenga Omotosho in his opening remarks described how important the Transportation Sector is to the economy and the well being of Lagosians.
Giving his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa stressed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is the only body backed by the Law to carry out enforcement and manage traffic within the state, saying Local Governments do not have traffic officers and they are not authorized by the law to apprehend motorists who commits traffic infractions.
Giwa also urged members of the public to avoid negotiating fines on the road with alleged enforcement officers to avoid being victims of impersonators.