Lagos Nigeria – The Ikeja Bus Terminal developed by the Lagos state government as part of its infrastructures for the Lagos Bus Reforms Project has been completed and set for launch.
The bus terminal is strategically located on the road to the local airport, behind the only railway line in the city, and adjacent the state’s university teaching hospital, Ikeja General Post Office, Ikeja Fire service, all in the neighbourhood of the sprawling Computer village.
The bus station has a big landmass for buses to park and load, large walkway for passengers, ticketing points, street lighting, restrooms, ATM booths, offices, small shops that would be for rent, CCTV cameras, generator house, water treatment plant, control tower to monitor activities, and greening with adequate exits.
Ther terminal will serve as the hub of all transport activities within the Ikeja Zone, serving over 50,000 passengers daily and providing access to many destinations including Oshodi, Ojota, Iyana-Ipaja, Maryland, Agege, Ogba, CMS, Obalende, Iyana-Ipaja, etc.
Meanwhile, the state is also seriously working on a major international bus terminal, the Oshodi Transport Interchange. Construction on the project which was estimated to cost about $70 million began in January and it is expected to drive unprecedented commerce and investment into the city.
When completed before the end of 2018, the project would have such facilities as international bus terminals, shopping/business malls, local bus interchange, theme parks, car parks and other facilities that will add to a modern city lifestyle.
The project is Governor Akin Ambode state administration’s conscious effort to transform The Oshodi suburb of the city into a world class Central Business District (CBD) and investment hub.
Ambode speaking to the media through his Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule, earlier in the year said the project will greatly enhance the security of lives and properties in the neighbourhood and also address the environmental nuisance and confusion often associated with the area.
To achieve this the government is compensating hundreds of traders it dislocated by the project at Mosafejo Market Oshodi, one of the markets it took over to give way for the development of the Oshodi Transport Interchange.
Onabule said, “Oshodi, in its present state, accommodates one million pedestrians daily with 100,000 passengers daily accessing 13 parks scattered within the area, while 76 per cent of the area is dedicated to transporting and related activities, causing serious traffic congestion and other environmental issues,
“This project will rebrand and transform Oshodi, thus turning Lagos into a befitting and an iconic international gateway to the rest of the world. It will also ensure an organized transport system that will aid free flowing traffic.”
