… As Sanwo-Olu inaugurates Police Station in Ibeju-Lekki Local Govt***

The Lagos State Government has embarked on sensitisation of residents on the Lagos Sidewalk Pilot Project as part of Non-Motorised Transportation (NMT) aimed at delivering more safer roads in the city’s Central Business District.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said this at the stakeholders dissemination on the  Lagos sidewalk pilot project at Park Inn by Radisson in Lagos on Thursday.

The newsmen report that the sidewalk stretched from Catholic Mission Street/St Nicholas Hospital/Tafawa Balewa Square.

Oladeinde commended the German Government which, through its development agency, Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), for funding the pilot project.

He said that Non-Motorised Transportation would help upscale access to public sector transportation by more Lagosians.

The commissioner explained that Non-Motorised Transportation (NMT) was a critical element of the modes of transportation as it relates to the first and the last mile movements to and from the stations to their homes.

Oladeinde said the government’s intention was to make the roads safer and more inclusive to all.

He noted that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had in 2020 signed the draft NMT and established its Implementation Committee to signpost the focus of the administration in its drive for more inclusive of the roads as a shared asset by all.

Oladeinde said the government would embark on massive sensitisation towards ensuring that traders and transport unions do not constitute nuisance on the dedicated lanes provided for the purpose of ensuring safe use of the roads by pedestrians and bikers.

“Since research has shown that a third of all trips carried out daily in Lagos are done by NMT, what we wanted to do is to encourage many more people to be attracted to walking and cycling to reduce carbon emissions and to promote their health.

“It is also to demonstrate the commitment of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to the safety of pedestrians.

“Government has prioritised the St Nicholas Hospital/TBS because of its strategic importance to the country being home to Kings College, Federal High Court, Federal Court of Appeal, Office of the Federal Controller of Works, the Tafawa Balewa Square and other iconic institutions,” Oladeinde said.

The Technical Adviser Corporate and Investment, Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr Agbonzegbe Konyeha, said the project was berthed as a result of the state being one of the 10 cities selected as winner of the inaugural Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI), with a grant to develop and implement a sidewalk project in Lagos.

He said the five kilometre sidewalk is the most walked part of Lagos Island CBD, with the sidewalk enhancing the walkability.

He disclosed that the project involved proved pedestrian walkway, traffic system management and artistic murals to relieve the eyes and make the environment more lively.

The LAMATA’s Managing Director, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said the delivery of the project was another demonstration of the government’s commitment to all segments and classes of her people.

She asked the people to continue to bear with the pains associated with the ongoing projects by the government, adding that she often describe Lagos as an expectant mother whose very advanced pregnancy could only deliver bundles of joy for the people for which they were meant.

Some critical stakeholders in attendance commended the government for its strong commitment to the development of a virile NMT system in the state.

They charged the government to ensure that all encumbrances like illegal trading, illegal parking, illegal structures of all sorts and drainages are permanently removed in order to ensure the sustainability of the NMT across the state.

Present were Dean of Intermodal Transportation Centre, University of Lagos, Prof. Iyiola Oni, Dean of School of Transportation, Lagos State University, Prof. Charles Asenimen, Director Lagos Resilience Office, Dr Folayinka Dania, former Commissioner of Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawanson, among others

In the meantime, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday inaugurated a Police Station in Ise Town, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, toward boosting security in the area.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Ayinde, said that the government would deploy cutting-edge technology to prevent crime and criminality.

He said that the completion and inauguration of the station was a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment to the security of lives and property of the people of Lagos State.

According to him, the spate of insecurity and incessant attacks on innocent citizens and businesses across the nation almost on daily basis is worrisome.

”This administration remains unflinching in its resolve to boldly and efficiently deploy cutting-edge thinking and technology to prevent crime and criminality, with the hindsight that prevention is always better than cure.

”And in the situations where crime has been committed, we will ensure that no stone is unturned in apprehending the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

”Our Lagos is safer and more secure today because of the improved operational capacities of our security agencies.

”Note that Individuals and corporate organisations have made this possible largely through the financial and material donations to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

”The effectiveness of this initiative as a strategy to fight and prevent crime has been widely acknowledged through its replication by other sub-national governments, and even at the national level,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that the construction of the Police Station was another fulfilment of the commitment to safer and secure clime that would engender confidence of investors.

He said that this was considering the fact that the area was within the precinct of Lekki Free Trade Zone, the emerging industrial hub of not only Lagos State but also Nigeria.

The governor, therefore, urged the people of Ise Community to fully cooperate and collaborate with the security personnel that would be deployed there.

He said that such collaboration would assist and strengthen the security in the environment, so as to ensure the full realisation of the objectives behind the construction and equipping of the Police Station.

Sanwo-Olu called on the police formation to deploy the best of its professionals to the station, adding that the government would not to relent in prioritising the needs and wellbeing of the men and officers of security agencies in the state.

”I wish to mention that in furtherance of our commitment, work will commence before the end of this year on the construction of two other Police Stations at Elepe in Ikorodu and Lekki.

”In addition, we will be constructing a modern office facility for Area ‘N’ Police Command Headquarters in Ijede, as well as the reconstruction of Alimosho and Ikeja offices of Department of State Security Services.

”All of these projects, when completed, will provide conducive environment for our security operatives to perform optimally.

”I sincerely appreciate and congratulate His Royal Highness, Oba Ganiu Adegbesan for his firm commitment to the safety and socio-economic development of his people and community.

”This is as demonstrated by his request for our intervention in providing this Police Station, to address the spate of kidnapping and activities of land-grabbers, among other criminal activities within the community and its environs,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operation), Mr Ahmed Kotangora, commended the Lagos State Government for the newly constructed Ise Police Station.

Odumosu said that the building of the station in Ise would reduce crime among the people of the community and its environment, and Lekki LCDA at large.

Also speaking, Oba Adegbesan commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for delivering the dividends of democracy to residents, especially the ongoing construction of Lagos-Epe Expressway and other physical infrastructure, which had turned many parts of the state to construction sites.

The traditional ruler, who commended the role played by Mr Tayo Ayinde toward the building of the Ise Police Station, said the government gesture would contribute immensely to reduction of crimes in the community.

The Chairman, Lekki Council Development Area, Mr Rasak Kasali, said that the station would reduce fears of residents of Ise community and environs.

”With the presence of this police station, our people can feel safer and peaceful, we would be in a better position to prevent crimes and respond to security emergencies.

”The presence of this police station also reminds us of certain tragedies we have experienced in the past like kidnapping, robbery, and murder.

”This is why the commissioning of this police station, at this time, is very welcoming and reassuring,” Kasali said.