Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said the long awaited regeneration of Oshodi into a world class Central Business District (CBD) will commence next week with the construction of Transport Interchange which will feature the consolidation of all 13 city and interstate parks in Oshodi into 3 multi-story bus terminals.
The three floors, which will be 30, 000 square metres for each terminal, will take care of the parking and passenger demand.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at a Stakeholders' Forum put together by the State's Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on the planned regeneration of Oshodi, said the project was in line with his administration's determination to transform Oshodi into a world class CBD with business, travel and leisure activities conducted in a serene, secure, clean, orderly and hygienic environment.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya, said the project would be delivered in 15 months.
While addressing the key stakeholders including community leaders, transport workers, market men and women and others who gathered at Oshodi Youth Development Centre, venue of the Forum, Governor Ambode said: "The Oshodi you see today shall be a thing of the past in the next 15 months as a world class transport interchange will be coming up."
In her project presentation, Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule said the concept of the regeneration plan is premised on a three pronged approach including Urban Renewal, Environmental Regeneration as well as Transformation and Security.
According to her, Oshodi in its present state currently accommodates about one million pedestrians daily with about 100,000 passengers daily accessing the 13 parks scattered within the area, while 76 per cent of the area is dedicated to transport and related activities, which led to serious traffic congestion and other environmental issues.
Onabule said that the new Oshodi CBD would not only reduce crime in the area, but also go a long way to address the environmental nuisance locations and areas of confusion often associated with the area.
She said the new plan would also boost intra-tourism by making the area a tourist destination and increase the economic value of the State, where business, travel and leisure activities would be conducted in a serene, secure, clean and orderly environment.
“This plan would see the total rebranding of the Old Oshodi, thus turning Lagos into a befitting and an iconic international gateway to the rest of the world. It would also ensure an organised transport system that will ensure free flowing traffic,” she said.
She said the project, which is a Public Private Partnership initiative between the Lagos State Government, represented by Ibile Holdings, Translink Capital Development Limited and Planet Projects Limited would see the consolidation of all 13 city and interstate parks in the area into three multi-storey bus terminals to cater for parking and passenger demand.
Onabule further explained that the Terminal One running from Mosafejo Market Axis would be for inter-state transport activities, while the Terminal Two and Three running from the former Owonifari Market and Adjacent to NAFDAC respectively will cater for intra-city transport activities.
She said that the terminals would have standard facilities including waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands, driver lounge, parking areas, rest rooms among others.
“It would also come with accessible walkways and pedestrian bridges and a state-of-the-art sky-walk to link all the three terminals, introduction of bus lanes, lay-bys, introduction of green parks to soften the environment and proper waste management strategy, fencing, street lighting and a dedicated security team for Oshodi including surveillance tower, CCTVs and the likes,” she said.
She added that the total area of the development of the Oshodi CBD master plan which is about 70,000 square metres will also accommodate shopping malls adjacent to the bus terminals.
Onabule said that the project is scheduled to take off from June 1, 2016 and expressed optimism that on completion, the project would be of immense benefit to all Lagosians, especially major stakeholders including passengers, transport unions, transport operators as well as shop owners.
Responding, Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede commended Governor Ambode for the laudable initiative, and pledged the support of his members towards the successful completion of the project.
Also, the Executive Secretary of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Hon. Olajobi Adeola said with the project, Governor Ambode had demonstrated that he is a trail blazer and a man genuinely committed to the transformation of the State.
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