Lagos urges Nigerians to take ownership of terminal

•Flags off inter-state commercial operation

Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, has urged Nigerians to take ownership of the facilities at the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI) terminals, to ensure that none was vandalized.

Speaking at the flag-off of commercial activities of the Terminal 1 of OTI on Tuesday, Oladeinde said the terminal would be the hub for inter-state transportation, adding that 21 ticketing booths have been created for 21 destinations spanning the entire southwest, the Southeast, FCT, Abuja, and the Northern states.

Oladeinde, who was represented by the Special Adviser to Governor on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, described the OTI as the first of its kind in Nigeria, and underscores the government’s resolve to provide comfortable public transportation services to the people at the least cost.

He also commended the contractor and facility manager, Planet Project, for delivering a world class and iconic project that would add value to the state.

Managing Director, Ibile Holdings, Abiodun Amokomowo, described the project as phenomenal, adding as a major partner in the project, the firm will continue to work at developing competitive advantage for all the five divisions of the state, to improve the liveability index.

The Lagos State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, commended the State Government for finally completing the urban renewal of the Oshodi environment with the delivery of the terminal to Lagosians.

Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, who was represented by the Mushin Branch B Chairman, Comrade John Owolabi, said the NURTW is also grateful that its men have been allowed to operate in the terminal. He assured the government of the union’s readiness to continue to support its transportation reforms.

The Managing Director, Planet Project, Biodun Otunola, expressed joy for delivering the project in record time.He said: “We are resolutely committed to ensuring that we are committed to providing first class passenger comfort in this terminal. We are determined to make this place a reference point, and a tourist arena. We are assuring every passenger of premium safety. We are not going to scale down on the comfort and security of anyone who patronises our terminals.”

Otunola noted that the beauty of the interchange is in the fact that passengers could come in from any part of Lagos serviced by Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, walk through the skywalk or pedestrian bridge to connect Terminal 1, and board a bus to their destination.

He said the terminal is projected to cater for about 50,000 passenger buses daily; adding that already, about 100 buses had loaded passengers for inter-state journeys upon its inauguration, Tuesday.

A former Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, commended the government for the timely completion of the project, saying the terminal would have a multiplier effect on employment especially for the people of Oshodi-Isolo.
He described the project as a huge asset to the people of Lagos, saying: “This is an indication that Lagos State is really moving forward.”