Professor Bamidele Badejo is the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation. In this interview with Senior Correspondent, AJIBOLA ABAYOMI, he takes a look at the myriad challenges confronting the transport sector in Nigeria and posits that there is urgent need for the Federal Government to evolve a genuine policy that would make the sector aid the economy to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He unfolds strategies to be adopted by the Lagos State government to meet its mega city projection. Excerpts...

In relation to the MDG target, how would you assess the Nigerian transport sector?

The MDG is a policy that is expected to transform the living standard of all Nigerians for better. All sectors of the economy are expected to play active role towards ensuring that the quality of life that we live now is improved. Looking at the Nigerian transport sector, it is a pathetic situation, but hope is not lost. The federal and state governments should borrow a leaf from the planning that is taking place in Lagos State in the interest of our economy. If we are to take holistic view of the road system in the country, to be frank with you, everything has collapsed. If you are familiar with the federal roads in Lagos, Lokoja and Abuja, you will know that the road system has collapsed. The accident statistics is unpalatable. The journey time from Lagos to Benin is about seven hours due to bad road for a journey that should take less than four hours.

The implication is that the transport sector has not improved. If you look at our international businesses, we are challenged with the movement of fuel. None of our refineries is functioning. This is as result of our old and dilapidated pipelines, and there is no plan to replace them. The effect of this on tankers that constitute serious traffic on Lagos roads while distributing fuel from Apapa is quiet worrisome. In the last 20 years, it has been 'talk-talk' on the part of the Federal Government and no action to revamp the rail sector. However, Lagos State government has taken a different approach to the transport sector. If you go round the state, it is either the state government is constructing, re-constructing or rehabilitating roads. No fewer that 120 roads are being touched simultaneously. The existing road infrastructure in Lagos is no longer capable of accommodating capacities that are going through them. As a result of this, there is need to strengthen the road facility to cope with the fresh challenges. On Ikorodu Road, for instance, the third lane is emerging from Mile 12. Talking about the rail system as earlier observed, we inherited 3,556 kilometres length of rail from the colonial masters; till date, the Federal Government has not added to the rail line, with the exemption of the iron and steel rail that leads Itakpe to Aladja.

Specifically, where do you think the Federal Government got it wrong, and what is your take on the annual budgetary allocation to the transport sector?

During the period of oil boom, it was possible for the Federal Government to say "we can do it alone" because finance was not a problem. It is a pity that we allowed that opportunity to slip away from our hands. There is a general global change especially as it affects the transport sector. Private sector investment is the in-thing now, irrespective of the sector involved in the economy. In the United States, private companies are allowed to participate by building infrastructure for the people and government gives contracts and incentives to enable them recoup their investment. The Federal Government has not taken advantage of this golden opportunity to accelerate infrastructure delivery for the people. For example, why should we be thinking of rehabilitating the rail line? Why can't the government construct new ones outright? Can the technology of 1896 and 1936 cope with the contemporary technology of rail system today in terms of speed, modernisation, safety and aesthetics? All these are what the government must look into.

When the colonial masters constructed the rail system, they did that with intention of exporting our crude products and return the same to us as finished products to boost their own purse. The rail line we are planning to rehabilitate did not even fit into our economy agenda perfectly because agriculture is no longer the base of our economy as expected of us based on our climatic advantage. The rail line was constructed, believing that our cocoa, cashew and other mineral resources would thrive by making it possible to get into all the regions in the country to be able to exploit other resources. There are no agricultural activities on the rail corridors like those days. Rail stations at Ikirun, Offa, Lakalaka and Bida to mention few are no longer responsive to the economy. When the rail system was constructed, Nigeria was 78 per cent rural. What we have now is urban rail system, which means we don't need railway for freight; whereas we need it for both passengers and freight. The aviation sector too is something else. We don't have a national carrier. The British Airways and the Air France record daily traffic operation in our country. If those sectors are not buoyant, would they achieve that? Both have over 67 aircraft operating in Nigeria and we are just mere lookers. We have not really captured the potentials of our transport sector in Nigeria. As long as we are not ready to do that, we would go nowhere. If Nigeria wants to advance in security, urbanisation, revenue and economy sustenance, the transport sector must be developed.

So, how prepared is Lagos to face the traffic challenge as far as the plan for mega city is concerned?

Let me make you to understand this. There is no way you can eradicate traffic congestion totally. With the entire rail lines in London, with a population of less than eight million, and the advanced water transport system in Germany and France, these countries are still battling with traffic. Lagos with a population of 18 million and metropolis accounting for about 92 per cent of the figure, despite the scarce resources at our disposal, has marvelously done well. To minimise the challenges of traffic, we have gone to the drawing board to access the best option to address it. We have agreed that the way forward is integrated transport system, which comprise road, rail and waterways system. We have identified seven corridors for the waterways, and today three out of the seven are functioning. Now we have water transportation in Ipakodo or Ikorodu to Marina, Bandore to Osborne and Marina, and from Igede to Badore and to Osborne. The metro ferry is already operating from Ikorodu to Marina and other areas. We are expanding and we hope to continue this to reduce the traffic congestion on our roads.

The beautiful thing I must let you know concerning this is that the burden of infrastructure maintenance, salary and pension for the workers and fuelling are catered for by the private sector. We have allowed them to partner the state government. Apart from the water transport system, Lagos State government is also looking at the rail option. We have identified seven corridors which include Marina to Agbado and Marina to Badagry because the population of the state is squid towards these directions. As I speak to you, we have completed the design for both the red and blue lines for Okokomaiko and Agbado corridor. Both are due for completion by 2012. Work has started. Gradually, we shall expand this to other parts of state. The existing road system has been boosted with the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) option, the LAG buses and others to make transportation a lot easier for our people. The timing of the BRT buses has been attracting a lot of commendations from Lagosians. We are proud that the process that started during the regime of former Governor Bola Tinubu was successfully implemented by his successor, Babatunde Raji Fashola. The taxi scheme is also on course. The existing number of people using taxis was few because they abandoned it to join the saturated population of people using public buses. We have rejuvenated the push for taxis by introducing new taxis that are safer, cleaner and affordable for those that desire it. Before now, in Lagos, taxis were rickety and were the target of the police; but Governor Fashola has changed that with the introduction of new taxi brands in the state.

Recently, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ben Akabueze, said Lagos requires about N50 billion to finance the infrastructure needed to achieve its mega city status. Out of this lot, what is the projection for the transport sector?

I may not be able to say this is the amount of money we are envisaging. What is paramount to us in the transport ministry is to identify areas of challenges, particularly traffic, and come with what we think is the solution to the problem. We have noticed that the state government cannot do everything alone. We need the private sector. The Federal Government, on the other hand, must give room for the private investor to help our transport sector by creating enabling environment. If it is not done on time, the cost of building infrastructure would be more in future. Now, as regards the question you raised on my projection for Lagos transport sector as we plan mega city, it is only the person that gave out the figure that can say exactly what would be needed. But we are planning.

What is your ministry doing to correct the obvious excesses of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) men on the state roads?

I want to say that there is no perfect organisation anywhere in the world. Sometimes ago, I was at Ketu and I saw someone in blue shirt trying to hold somebody by the trouser. I came down from my car to see things for myself. As I approached the scene of the incident, one of the passers by shouted my name saying "Oga Commissioner for Transport". Immediately, the man in blue shirt who was acting as a law enforcing agent took to his heels. The essence of my story is that some of these people you see on the road at times might not be accredited LASTMA officials. I am not holding brief for the agency. In my report during the ministerial briefing, I told Lagosians the number of LASTMA men that were sacked because of unlawful conduct and those that are being investigated. I indeed went on to give the number of LASTMA men that have also paid the supreme price of their lives while working to curtail driving menace on our roads. People don't understand the procedure under which the agency operates and many people are yet to adjust to the reality. In Lagos, what LASTMA men do is that when you are contravened, they take you to their yard to apply the appropriate sanction.

But in England, if you are caught violating any traffic law, you are sanctioned on the spot because they have all the information about your car apart from other ways of dealing with the situation. In Nigeria, we are still growing. This country doesn't have national data bank on vehicles, so the situation on ground informed the methodology we are adopting in Lagos. Many times, immediately the LASTMA officials contravene some people, they would resort to self help and refuse to obey the officials. They would refuse to go to LASTMA office. We have repeatedly trained and warned LASTMA officials to always show courtesy to the people. What we have also found out is that many people have been taking advantage of the courtesy being shown by the officials. These set of people are the ones that would turn around to complain bitterly about traffic situation on Lagos roads. Fashola has said it repeatedly that he is ready to withdraw the LASTMA men from Lagos roads if complaints against them get out of hand, but the people themselves know that the consequences would be worse. It is as a result of the failure of the motor service department of the Nigeria Police that brought about LASTMA. The agency is a child of circumstance. The police are not there to control the traffic and to rescue accident victims as expected; hence Tinubu used his novel discretion to set up LASTMA. The agency, irrespective of its shortcomings, has done more good than harm.

Many Lagosians have said LASTMA is fast becoming a revenue machine for the state government through your ministry.

I can confidently tell you that as at today that revenue from LASTMA into the state government coffers has dropped. The reason is simple: the more people obey the traffic rules, there would not be need to sanction any vehicle (owner). How many people do you see nowadays driving against traffic in Lagos? Tell me, if you know of anybody in Lagos today that is not conscious of traffic light? Probably, some may have issues on the cost of towing vehicles by the agency, and when we noticed that, the state government quickly purchased 25 recovery vehicles and distributed them across the state to aide LASTMA operations. The cost of taking those vehicles to LASTMA yard is what is being charged. The charge does not come as revenue to the state government at all but as operation cost.

Your ministry claimed to have registered over 1.6 million vehicles in the state so far; to what extent are you using this to plan Lagos roads?

That is why we are talking about integrated transport system. Compare Tafawa Balewa Square traffic to what it was before now. What about the Okota Bridge that is being constructed? We are working to ensure that we open as many road networks as possible to reduce traffic. We don't even expect everybody to ply the road with their cars as time goes on because of the conducive and affordable transport schemes we are rolling out in the state.

How do you intend to actualise your target of reducing the travel time on Lagos roads by 36 per cent?

The clearance of Oshodi Road/Market has reduced the vehicular movement between the airport and any part of the state by one and half hours already. People can now leave Ibadan and come to Lagos by 2.30 p.m. and pick a 4 p.m. flight ticket. Go to airport in Lagos today, they would tell you the era of missing flight due to traffic is over. Between Iyana Ipaja and Ojuelegba, now it is about 16 minutes drive; before that cannot happen. Many years ago, how many people would drive through Mushin and Ojuwoye freely like they do now? From MUSON Centre to Victoria Island, it used to take an average of one hour 100 minutes, now it is less than 15 minutes drive. We know traffic control is a tall order, but it is achievable and we will do it.

As early as April 2008, you hit 88 per cent target of the over N4 billion revenue projection for your ministry, where are you now as far as 2010 is concerned?

I have told you that our revenue has reduced drastically. In 2008 was when we began the introduction of the transport policy. We have to be very harsh for the people to comply. Now that the people are adjusting to the transport rules on our roads, the revenue is no longer the way it was.

Are you happy about the revenue flop?

It is because the people are beginning to get used to the demands of Lagos roads. If we used to contravene about 50 vehicles in a day, it has now dropped to about 10 or 15. Naturally, the revenue that comes in from traffic charges naturally will drop. Where is the money again? This is a matter of logic.

For how long will the state government hang on to construction of Lekki Road that is causing heavy traffic along that route on daily basis; any specific date for its completion?

My brother, there is no delivery without pain. Go to the maternity to prove me right or wrong. You cannot see any woman that would be delivered of a baby without screaming. But immediately the delivery is over, what you see is flow of joy and relief. What I am saying is that if we are constructing a road in the interest of the people and we are convinced that it would stand the test of time, it is time-bound and the contractor is not sleeping. What I would need to tell people living within that corridor is to plan their journey well.

Lagos State government has taken over three watchtowers procured by the Federal Government in the 1970s to boost traffic control. Why don't you go for new ones instead? Are you sure they would stand the pressure of modern technology?

They are not movable items. When the Federal Government constructed the Eko Bridge, Badagry Road and the Third Mainland Bridge, and erected three watchtowers: at Costain, Ijora beside the Ministry of Works, and Apongbon, the essence of those watchtowers is to monitor traffic and security, and we observed for years that they are not functioning as they should, owing to vandalism of the equipment. As a result of expansion of road infrastructure in Lagos, we approached the Federal Government to let us take possession of those things and use them for the purposes they are meant for. So that is just what we have done.

Looking at the country in general, what do you think can be done to improve the transport sector?

I am not a soothsayer. There are 37 states in the federation including the federal capital, and each has its own peculiarity and geographic-cum-demographic distribution. It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to evolve a formidable transportation policy for the country and adhere to it like a Bible and a Qur'an. We need to really move on to provide a transport policy and a conducive environment that would serve both our generation and the generations unborn. Obviously, our state has been exchanging ideas with other states in the country on how to improve the transport sector. We are into a lot of collaborative relationships. We relate and we share views and experiences. That is the essence of National Council of Transportation, which meets yearly. I have been privileged to interact with my colleagues from other states severally. I am sure they are leaning from the transport revolution in Lagos.

Any regret over revenue flop in your ministry?

No amount of monetary value can be placed on life. What the ministry has lost in terms of revenue, the state government has recouped it in form of tax. The joy of safety on our roads is that many of our people are safer and have time to plan for their children. Also, bad driving is gradually getting out of our way. There are many socio-economic benefits we derive from the compliance with driving rules than the fine or sanction imposed on traffic offenders. We care less about the revenue you are talking about, compared to safety of our people. Transport is a derived demand. You need transport for education, health and many aspects of the economy. Transportation is not a money-making venture for us. That is why, all over the world, transport sector is always heavily subsidised. We have to make the public know that Lagos State government is not interested in the revenue aspect alone, but the safety of the people. It is not a revenue issue. If 20 people die on the road, can you quantify it? It is not our joy that people should be paying for demurrage of vehicles belonging to dead persons at all. There are multiplier effects that go beyond the revenue target of the transport sector on the economy.

To what extent is the state government committed to cage the motor park touts popularly called agbero, and what is your relationship with the Lagos State chapter of National Union of Road Transport Union Workers (NURTW)?

We have no problem with the transport union. One thing I want to make people understand is that when you talk about eradication of agbero in Lagos, there must be substitution or alternative to really put their activities at bay. Some of them have been employed by my ministry and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Some of them are in charge of our landscaping projects. The problem of agbero is not as bad as painted on the pages of newspapers. If Oshodi market is cleared today, the question is, where are the agbero? Jibowu and Idumota are cleared, where are the agbero? We have to be gradual in our approach and engagement with commercial drivers and the agbero, it is only through that we would achieve the desired result. Transport sector in Lagos is largely an informal sector. Whoever is in that sector and understands the nomenclature really must be sensitive to the mode of operation. However, the state government has made it clear that it would not tolerate undue rascality at the motor parks. So, gradually, we are engaging them for good.