BY THEODORE OPARA

THE Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has described the expansion of the Lagos-Badagry road which will make provision for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane and Lite-rail as the first of its kind in Africa.

The governor who was represented at the opening of the 7th Lagos Motor Fair at the Tafawa Balewa Square by his Transport Commissioner,  Comrade Kayode Opeifa said that the road was being expanded to allow for free flow of traffic. “It is the first of its kind in Africa with a provision for BRT lane and the Lagos Lite-rail”, he said.

According to the governor who showered commendations on the organizer of the Lagos Motor Fair, the second phase of the Lagos-Badagry road project had been awarded and the contractor had moved to the site.

He explained that with the completion of the road, the traffic gridlock being experienced by commuters would become a thing of the past.

The governor who disclosed that there were over 70,000 commercial vehicles on Lagos roads alone stated that the state government’s heavy investments in providing necessary infrastructural facilities on the road, traffic management and provision of safety road signs was to further ensure growth in the economy to improve on the standard of living of people and ensure longer life span of not only the vehicles but of also the people.

He further disclosed that Lagos State beg the nations commercial nerve centre has about 30 percent of the nation’s automobile.

To this end he said that the state government is partnering with the organized private sector in providing modern and better means of transportation for Lagosians, adding that the BRT is wholly private sector own project.

In his opening remark, the Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions, Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu said it was their desire and dream with the support of other stakeholders and government to give the automobile industry in Nigeria International recognition and acceptance so as to position it for greater global competitiveness with the attendant benefits.

He pointed out that hosting world class auto shows in Nigeria as they are doing is one of the ingredients needed to fast track the development of the country’s automotive industry.

Strategically, he said that they were laying a little more emphasis on the spare parts sector in this edition in conjunction with their foreign partners, Senexpo International Fair Incorporated of Turkey by bringing reputable original equipment manufacturers of auto spare parts from across the world to partake in the fair.