President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commended the governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode for his immense development of the state within the space of three years.
Buhari gave the commendation while inaugurating the Ikeja Bus Terminal, shortly after arriving in the state for a two-day official visit.
The President, in his brief remarks during the ceremony, lauded Ambode for his reform in the area of public transportation.
“The Federal Government would adhere to Lagos plan for the ports and other transport infrastructure in the country.
“We are committed to tackling security challenges, stabilising the economy, creating an enabling environment for jobs and returning Nigeria to its pride of place in the comity of nations,”Buhari said
In his remarks, Ambode thanked President Buhari for waiving the import duty on the five thousand air-conditioned buses which would be operated from the terminal.
He said the state looked forward to having an assembly plant for the buses in the next 20 months.
“Our administration is committed to improving public transport infrastructure and management.
“The state’s bus reform project, 5,000 new buses would be introduced in the next three years.
” 820 environmentally-friendly high-capacity buses, in the first phase, are expected by September.
“The terminal was part of the bus reform initiative, based on recommendations of the 2015 Lagos Transport Summit.
“The terminal has a concourse for arrival, ticketing, waiting and departure areas, loading bay, ATM gallery as well as food court and parking facilities.
“It is designed to change the face of public transportation and will convey more than 200,000 passengers daily to over 22 destinations across the state.
“The facility, which is sitting on 10,000 square metre-land space, is equipped with Intelligent Transport System (ITS), free Wi-Fi and electronically controlled shades, among others.
“Through the ITS, intending passengers can be informed of the departure time and arrival of the next bus, which allows them to plan their movement.
“The facility was designed and constructed by Planet Projects, an indigenous construction firm,” the governor said.
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