Many residents and visitors to Lagos often do not see Oshodi beyond the clumsy activities that go on in the various garages and parks scattered around the flyover bridges as well as the petty trading by roadsides and within the parks. The anti-social behaviour of miscreants otherwise known as ‘Area boys’ in Oshodi added another dimension to the notoriety that Oshodi environ was known for
Therefore, when Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode in 2016 announced that traders, commercial buses operating within the parks around Oshodi bus-stop and the park managers, the NURTW would have to give way for a modern transport interchange, it was a good relief for some residents thought it was like taking the means of livelihood from those who were trading and providing some transportation services within Oshodi main bus stop.
And when the governor rolled out the plans he had for the place, following it up with a pictorial blueprint of what he wanted to be the Oshodi interchange, it was like it cannot be achieved. This is because the project looked massive and the facilities expected to be put up look like something not meant for that part of the city. But months down the line, things are taking shape and it seems some level of sanity will likely envelope Oshodi though Oshodi is not limited to the activities within the main bus stop.
The transport interchange is being constructed by the Lagos State government and executed by Planet Project. The governor during a recent visit said the project would be delivered by December, but the contractor seems to want to beat the deadline of the governor, as the Managing Director of Planet Project, Abiodun Otunola said the interchange would be completed in October 2018. According to him, this is because the job has reached 70 per cent completion level.
There are serious works ongoing at the site daily. According to Project Planet, the construction company handling the ongoing Oshodi Transport Interchange has promised that the three terminals under construction by the company, would be completed before the end of the year.
“There is no design like this anywhere in the world, it is unique and a peculiar structure due to the shape and geography of this place, Oshodi.
“We tailored the design to fit the geography of the environment, so we have three terminals that take care of interstate, the BRT and the one serving Lagos state itself,’’ he said. The engineer said that the terminals were built in such a way that passengers could link one terminal from the other.
The project, when operational, will serve, at peak, an average of one million people though at the early stage of the commencement of business, about three hundred thousand passengers would be served daily, with each of the three terminals serving 300,000 passengers daily. He disclosed that every hour, 300 buses would be departing the terminals.
“The idea is to make available access to efficient and effective transportation to most classes of Lagosians, especially those in the lower and middle income brackets who cannot afford to fund their own private cars every day.”
Otunola said Terminal 1 would serve those travelling outside Lagos and the west coast. This is why the terminal is dubbed the inter-city terminal. He said Terminal 2 will service commuters heading towards Abule Egba and beyond and places like Mile 2, Okokomaiko and beyond, while Terminal 3 will be for commuters going to Anthony, Ojota, Lagos Island and Ikorodu.
At the landmark event, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, and Project Manager say it will improve organized public transport system, increase economic and tourism values of Oshodi once known as a dirty and crime Centre.
The engineer said that the terminals were built in such a way that passengers could link one terminal from the other.
“With this, we are solving transport, environmental and security problems in Lagos State; Oshodi that I used to know is getting shape gradually, in a few months, you will see a new Oshodi,’’ he added.
The Lagos State Television Crew went on a site tour to access the level of works at this site and so far, its 70% completion. Watch the video and see things for your self
A lot of policies are said to have been put in place to maintain the current infrastructure as Oshodi is transformed into another world-class business district without leaving behind the host community.
Watch the video here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDa0oUfxwlY
In the days ahead, the third skywalk will be hoisted to link terminals 2 and 3 making Oshodi an international gateway for transport unions, shop owners, passengers to do business, travel and leisure in a scenic environment.
13 city and intercity parks are consolidated into the 3 multi-storey bus terminals from the Owonifari market, Anthony, Mushin, Mile 2 and Ikeja for motorists and passengers transport pleasure.
A resident of Lagos, speaking on the project, Dr Adebayo Akintayo noted that traditionally Oshodi has been a complex mosaic of industrial, commercial and all manners of human endeavors, creating a complex web of vehicular and human logjam with associated nefarious and criminal activities.He said the establishment of the transport interchange would bring orderliness, promote security surveillance activities aside enhancing the aesthetic beauty of Oshodi. “I applaud the Government for this laudable infrastructural upgrade of Oshodi.”
Cynthia Nwalozie said she does not frequently ply the Oshodi axis, but from what was obtainable in the past, the execution of the project is a good initiative by the government. “It is long overdue considering the importance of Oshodi route to the entire Lagos road network. However, it is important that the facilities should be as practical as possible and not focusing on aesthetics alone.”
Another resident of the state, Ayo Longe observed that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is changing the face of Lagos but a lot of people are being negatively affected. Nonetheless, to him, Lagos actually sets the pace when development in Nigeria is spotlighted “The development of the transport interchange and the allied facilities will further change the face of Oshodi from one of confusion to that of a modern city. It will subsequently attract more visitors and Lagos State only needs to be more visionary because it will attract businesses in other sectors that will need more facilities to cater to.”
On his part, Johnson Ibidapo said the project is a good initiative, as it will surely give Oshodi a facelift. “But the question is, are we ready for this,” he queried.For Dorcas Tonade, it is a good development as it is one that will benefit the entire state in the long run. She also felt that it will help bring sanity to the transport union as well as reduce theft and all criminal activities around Oshodi.The Commissioner for Information, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said Ambode is committed to continually add value to the citizens’ experience, making available a safe, secure and convenient environment. He noted that why the state government cannot stop the human drift into Lagos, its responsibility is to ensure that the facilities being provided adequately serve the people.With the interchange, Bamigbetan said Oshodi would be rebranded away from being a den of thugs and criminals and if there is any thug or criminal around after the completion of the project, such person’s psyche would be reformed and transformed to conform with the new setting of orderliness and serenity.
The commissioner stated that any resident could spend 48 hours within the interchange with no fear of being hurt, as the place would be safe. According to him, the project is part of the governor’s efforts to build on the legacies of his predecessors, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola. He noted that the former governors did their part in improving activities around Oshodi and the new effort is consolidating on that.
Bamigbetan said it is gratifying that the interchange would be taking over from a disjointed and unorganised 30 parks that cumulated in some form of confusion for commuters and residents would ply the route.He said projects are being executed in the state with international benchmark reason the state do not intend to create facilities that will not economise space, which the interchange represents.
According to him, the project is also about promoting local content as the project is being executed by a Nigerian company that has ensure that all the workers on site are Nigerians, thereby saying that Nigerians can do it.With the Governor saying the project would be delivered by December, No doubt Lagos residents are waiting for the fulfilment of the promise.
To see the prototype of the ambitious project, please watch the video below:
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