Japanese Amb. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi with Sanwo-Olu. |
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, said Lagos State Government was not unaware of the emerging issues surrounding operations of public transportation, disclosing that plans were underway towards strengthening safety and improving transport infrastructure to give commuters new experience.
The
Governor said sustenance of an efficiently run intermodal public transportation
network remained a critical component of his administration’s economic agenda,
stressing that the State had adopted an energy policy that would enable the
state-run transport agencies to diversify to clean energy use and lower carbon
emissions.
The
clean energy initiative, the Governor said, has been a top agenda of the State
Government, noting that the State was ready for more investment and partnership
to raise Lagos capacity in the use of clean energy for solutions in mobility
services.
Sanwo-Olu
spoke when he received the ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria and other ECOWAS
States, Ms. Annika Hahn-Englund, on a courtesy call at the State House, Marina.
The
Governor also hosted the ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga
Kazuyoshi, on bilateral talks.
Sanwo-Olu
reiterated the State’s commitment to existing bilateral partnerships with the
Swedish government and trade organisations in the Scandinavian nation, pointing
out that the ongoing feasibility study of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport
Authority (LAMATA) operational capacity by a Swedish firm would result in
development of solutions to reduce accidents.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Sustainability of our investment in transportation infrastructure and services is critical to driving more innovation into the sector. This will also translate to how seamlessly we diversify from our use of fossil fuels to clean energy that will reduce emissions as well as improving the quality of the environment. We are currently engaged in providing modern infrastructure around three transportation models, which are waterways, road and rail.
“We
are not unaware of the effects these means of public mobility have on the
environment. Efforts are already in place to ensure sustainable development and
create an eco-friendly environment. That is why the State Government signed a
MoU with Oando Energy firm to test electric vehicles for public transportation.
The proof of concept is underway and it will give us clear direction on what is
required both on the infrastructure end and the mobility side of it.
“As
a Government, we are working on all of the options. We also have a relationship
with Scania AB and TML on data gathering towards ensuring the safety of the
passengers using our services. We need more symbiotic partnerships in this
sector, not a handout. This is a conversation in which we both can identify
what the needs should be. With partnership, we can develop a win-win
relationship.”
The
Governor told the Swedish envoy that Lagos was ready to sustain its economic
cooperation with the Scandinavian country, adding that the State would continue
“robust” attendance of Swedish-Nordic Connect, a socio-cultural event yearly
organised by the European nation.
He
said Lagos remained open for more Swedish investment opportunities, while
giving assurance that Nigeria’s commercial city would continue to initiate
policies that would ease restrictions on foreign investment.
Hahn-Englund
thanked the Governor for prioritising economic cooperation with her country.
She said the SWED Fund for LAMATA would help Lagos create a more sustainable transportation infrastructure network, adding that a feasibility study by a Swedish firm, Sensys Gasto Group, was in the pipeline to promote road safety.
The
envoy added that the Swedish company would be developing a project with the
Lagos Government where the State would develop a system that would register and
send out violations, and monitor fine payment.
On
his own part, the Japanese envoy, Kazuyoshi, said his visit to the Governor was
to expand Lagos-Japan cooperation.
He
said his country had been working with the State Government and some Nigerian
firms to develop a circular economy for Lagos, adding that Japan was poised to
increase its investments in Lagos by bringing more trade partners.
Kazuyoshi
said: “Lagos is the entry point for the trade inflow into Nigeria and Japan
fully understands the potential of the Nigerian market; we are confident to
raise the market volume for both countries.”
Other
partnerships discussed by the Japanese ambassador included cooperation on
electricity generation, skill transfer, exchange programme, sports and tourism.
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