Lagos partners Ogun to solve congestion problem

Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun, the governors of Lagos and Ogun state, have announced a partnership to decongest the latter and improve infrastructure in both states.

During a monthly breakfast meeting of the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) in collaboration with Phillips Consulting, both governors agreed that there is a need to form an alliance.

In a panel session moderated by Foluso Phillips, Phillips Consulting chairman, both governors agreed that the partnership would address the following: decongestion of Lagos state, development of a land port, rail and water transportation between both states, private-public partnership (PPP) funding for infrastructural development and a masterplan for the integration of both states.

Both governors also identified some quick wins like:

• The signing of an already prepared agreement by both states to set up a Lagos/Ogun commission that will handle all issues that are of common interest to the states.
• Execute the joint resident registration scheme to tackle insecurity.
• Completion of an ongoing rice mill in Lagos that will receive and process most of the rice input from Ogun State.
• Expansion of trailer park in Ogun state to help ease the Apapa traffic congestion in Lagos
• Conclusion of an agreement with the federal government to take over the completion of several federal roads bordering the two states such as the Lagos – Sagamu Express Way which is only at 20% completion.

Both administrators also delegated the chairing, management and the delivery of the agreement to the deputy governors who report directly to their principals for accountability.

Sanwo-Olu said the execution of the partnership would be assessed in the first quarter of 2023 while Abiodun said project execution can be carried out using a government delivery unit.

The agreement will be documented and endorsed by parties to give legal backing and minimise political interference with the provisions of the agreement.