Divergent views trail new Oshodi bus terminals

Lagosians are having divergent views on the new Oshodi bus terminals, one of the infrastructural facility the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, is putting in place to transform the state into a mega city. The terminals are planned to compete favourably with those found in international airports in developed countries of the world, writes BOLA BADMUS.

OSHODI, the headquarters of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, no doubt records a huge traffic daily on account that it is a transportation hub, where mostly residents in Lagos have to get to before they can transit to other places within and outside the state. No doubt a badly congested area for those doing businesses there, as well as for those who ply the route, who usually have one sad tale or another of their experiences at the hands of miscreants that have since turned Oshodi to their permanent abode. It is also a place where supposed “landlords” collect daily rents from those that live and sleep under the popular Oshodi Bridge therefore he need to upgrade Oshodi to the landscape like it is found in most of the developed world, informed the state government’s decision to erect an ultra-modern Oshodi bus terminal in the area. The bus terminal has reached 70 per cent completion and is designed to operate with about 1,000 modern buses daily.

However people’s opinions are divergent on the multi-billion edifice being handled by a consortium called Planet Project. While some applaud the project, others are non-perturbed as they are losing their means of sustenance due to displacement brought about by the ongoing construction that is going to occupy seven hectares of land by the time it is completed.

PR practitioner, Mr Tayo Irantiola, said such project would be the first lofty project that government, whether at the state or federal level, as well as individuals, would embark upon, noting that it was delightful to see such multi-billion naira project erected in the city.

But he is worried that the major challenge would be that of maintenance. “There are many public infrastructure that are not adequately maintained because we lack maintenance culture. Regardless, we want this administration and subsequent leaders in Lagos, to ensure that it does not degenerate to the state of harbouring criminals,” he said.

A trader, Madam Iyabo, however, lamented the action of the Lagos State government in chasing mainly petty traders away from where they do their small businesses, saying that the action was not good as their sources of income have been badly affected, regardless of the beautification the project is bringing to Oshodi.

“I am against the development because a lot of people have been rendered homeless as their only means of livelihood has been taken away from them,” the shoe trader told Sunday Tribune.

Also, a bus driver, Mr Rasheed, who is set to lose his yellow bus, like many others, to the air-conditioned buses that would be introduced into Oshodi axis on completion of the bus terminal, is totally opposed to the idea. He described the act as anti-people.”If the yellow buses are taken away from us, what do they expect us to live on? This is really disheartening. I am not happy at all,” he said.

However, Banji Adeleye, a resident of Oshodi, said what Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is bringing to Oshodi is the hallmark of a mega city and a better way of gradually opening up the state for convenient commercial activities and movement.

Also, Benedicta Izeze, a civil servant, is full of joy for Oshodi, expressing the belief that the renewal would also get to Ajegunle and Makoko, which are densely populated.

But clothes dealer, Azeez, described the actions of Ambode as appalling, saying that the electorates, who are majorly of the low class, should be respected and taken into consideration when formulating policies. “As it is done in other countries, the set of people most important to the government is the poor people who are still finding their feet. But such is non-existent in our locality,” he lamented.

“Before the market restructuring, Oshodi used to be the place where people from different areas come to buy all kinds of things. But when the market was restructured, a lot changed and I can  count the number of people who now feed from hand to mouth as a result of this infrastructural renewal,” lamented another female trader, Madam Oyinkansola.

Despite all this, the Lagos State government is going ahead with the transformation of Oshodi. Under the incumbent, Governor Ambode, Lagos has become a huge construction hub as works are going on in various corners of the state, all in efforts at improving the living conditions of Lagosians primarily, and also in ensuring that the state, becomes the second largest economy in the world by 2023, and well positioned to compete favourably with developed countries in terms of infrastructure.

President Muhammadu Buhari, recently, commissioned the multi-billion naira Ikeja bus terminal. The terminal, which is about 1km drive from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, will connect 22 routes, with over 70,000 people expected to use the facility daily.

The Ikeja bus terminal, one of the transport infrastructure under the State Bus Reform Initiative, is among the 13 new bus terminals to be introduced in the first phase of this programme. Others include the major terminals at Oshodi, Yaba, Ojota, Agege and the already completed Tafawa Balewa bus terminal.

“We have commenced the introduction of 5,000 new buses into the Lagos economy in the next three years. We will also inject 820 environmentally-friendly buses in the first phase of this reform by September 2018, 300 new bus stops, three bus depots, and Intelligent Transport System, which will aid Lagosians to plan their journeys on our public transport system,” Governor Ambode said.

The Oshodi bus terminal has three terminals in all, which compares to international airports where one could shop, bank, obtain medical help, relax, among others, while waiting to board a bus to one’s destination after obtaining ticket.

The Project Manager of Planet Projects, the contractors handling the project, Mr Abiodun Otunola, said 70 per cent of the projects, consisted of three terminals for interstate, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the third meant to serve the Lagos State entirely, had already been done, while that of Oshodi transport interchange would be ready by October.

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“Oshodi that I used to know is getting into shape gradually, in a few months, you will see a new Oshodi,” Otunla said.

Otunola, who recalled that Oshodi used to have about 17 different parks with no standard facilities like toilets, ticketing and adequate security personnel in place, noted that Lagos residents deserved befitting and comfortable transportation facilities, especially at Oshodi, the hub and centre where people move to other states even to some West African countries.

“In the western world, they call it terminals, either buses or train terminals with many facilities in place and I know Lagos is getting there very soon.

“So, it is going to be Lagos gift to Nigeria and the West Coast when it is fully done in terms of facilities, like Wifi, waiting area, ticketing booth, ATM points, loading bay, offices and conveniences.

“The size, population, complexity and number of destinations at the terminals are going to be more than 50 of present days motor park at Oshodi,” he further said, assuring that the project would support economic development of the state and ensure that the growing population of the state have efficient public transport system.

“Public transport and terminals is more important to people than hospitals, only sick people go to hospitals. By the time this is finished in September or October, it would compare favourably with any one in the world. Look we are siting here and we are hearing this kind of noise from outside, no where in the world you we hear such noise, the dust is even dangerous.

“By the time it is completed, the slogan will be if you have not spent a night in Oshodi, you have not had a night. It is going to be an iconic project, no country that has abandoned its construction companies can survive,” he said further.

Speaking on financing, Otunla said: “The project is financed 100 per cent by the Lagos State government, but the hotel and malls would be financed by the private sector.

“We have proposal for IPP and the good news is that there is a gas pipeline that runs underneath here and certainly we would be connected to the power grid,” the project director added.

Speaking during the tour, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said the landmark project in Oshodi was made possible because the state runs a government of continuity, since 2001, and with a 25-year development plan, and the Oshodi Bus Terminals will initially cater for 300,000 passengers daily. “Thirteen of such are being planned for locations across the state,” he added.