Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has called on the current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to take decisive action in reclaiming the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and expanding the state’s waterway transport network. Fashola made this appeal during the 2024 Lagos Physical Planning Summit on Tuesday, where he spoke on the theme, “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity.”
Fashola emphasized the need for government intervention to regulate the growing presence of motorcycles, tricycles, and mini buses, which he said conflicted with Lagos’ climate change commitments and compromised the efficiency of the BRT system.
“We must reclaim the BRT from the tyranny of tricycles and mini buses,” Fashola said, urging Sanwo-Olu to prioritize intermodal transport solutions and ensure the BRT system remains a key part of Lagos’ transportation strategy.
He highlighted the BRT as a pioneering project in Africa, modeled after successful systems in South America, and stressed the importance of maintaining its integrity. “Our partners around the world, with whom we have made climate commitments, must be watching with concern,” Fashola added.