Lagos Boosts Transportation With 1,000 Utility Vehicles
Lagos State Government has unveiled 1,000 brand new saloons and sports utility vehicles, as the pilot vehicles of the Lagos ride taxi scheme, otherwise known as LAGRIDE.
Governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that the e-hailing taxi scheme was part of a joint venture between the state government and a Chinese car Manufacturing Company, which also include the establishment of a car assembling plant in Lagos.
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Besides, the governor said that the new taxi scheme was to further ensure seamless transportation system for teeming commuting populace in the state.
Speaking at the event at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu described the scheme as a promise fulfilled as the scheme was part of his administration’s plan of enhancing mobility suitable for the megacity status of Lagos.
The governor added that the modern ride service was part of his government’s socio-economic intervention programmes as prospective drivers are allowed to pay for the vehicles in installment over a period of four years.
He urged the Chinese Car manufacturing Company to increase the capacity of its car assembling plant which is almost completed in the state.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that Lagos was already moving from the era of rickety vehicles for transportation to use of safe modern vehicles
He noted that the scheme would create jobs, accelerate socio-economic growth and further put the state on the global map as the Centre of Excellence and a modern mega city committed to sustainable development.
He noted: “The scheme is in fulfillment of our desire to give residents better transportation choices in line with multimodal transport systems which key to our THEMES Agenda.
“The modern ride service is one of the state government’s socio-economic intervention programmes, which will be professionally managed in line with global best practices.”
He called on private organizations and individuals to join hands with it to increase the number of the vehicles for the scheme.
Governor added that all the drivers that would be engage for the scheme would be given android phone loaded with various apps to facilitate effective operation.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, challenged the Lagos State government to invest more in rail transportation to decongest traffic on Lagos roads.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, explained that the vehicles were equipped with security cameras, connected to the control room of the state emergency management agency, LASEMA, to ensure prompt communication in case of emergencies during each ride.
Oladeinde revealed that to reduce cost of riding, a ride sharing option had been imputed in the Lagride application, which is already live on the various app download platforms
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