Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to strengthen the state’s integrated transportation system to reduce traffic congestion and travel time if elected governor.
Hamzat made the pledge on Tuesday during separate interviews with Lagos Television (LTV), Eko FM and Lagos Traffic Radio at Agidingbi, Lagos.
He said his transportation plan would integrate road, rail and waterways while expanding bus services, improving traffic management and providing commuters with more efficient travel options.
According to him, an effective transportation system is critical to the development of other sectors, including housing, education, business and youth development.
“Our transportation system is what I prescribed to link all resources in Lagos. For us, moving our people easily without traffic is essential because this is the bedrock of everything,” he said.
Hamzat added that his administration would provide more Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, decongest bus stops and improve emergency response to road accidents to prevent avoidable traffic build-ups.
On rail transportation, he pledged to complete the Blue Line extension to Okokomaiko and connect it with the Red Line at the National Theatre, Iganmu.
He said the proposed connection would improve access to Marina for commuters travelling from areas such as Yaba and Agege, while residents along the Okokomaiko corridor, including students of Lagos State University, would benefit from improved rail services.
The deputy governor also highlighted the Omi-Eko water transportation project, which he said would provide seven electric ferries, with five already delivered, to expand commuting options.
“Lagos is a water state, and as such, we must utilise the lagoon as a network of water routes so that at least we can move a lot of our people on water as we are moving on roads, and of course on rail too,” he said.
On the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge, Hamzat said the state would explore public-private partnerships to deliver the project while exercising caution over borrowing.
He explained that the bridge’s design and costing had involved private-sector participation, adding that discussions had been held with prospective concessionaires.
Hamzat noted that successful implementation of the partnership would require clear agreements on responsibilities, including tolling arrangements that could enable investors to recover their investments.
He also called for better traffic management during accidents and road repairs, stressing that security and emergency personnel must respond promptly to incidents to minimise congestion.
The deputy governor attributed Lagos’ persistent traffic challenges partly to its high volume of vehicles, saying improved planning, coordination and traffic management were necessary to ease the burden on road users.
He said his proposed transportation strategy would focus on connecting existing and planned transport infrastructure, improving commuter access and reducing delays to support economic activities across the state.