First, Last Mile’ Bus Initiative Not Negotiable – Gov Sanwo-Olu

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Transportation, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka, has said that the First and Last Mile (FLM) Bus initiative of the State Government which was launched to address the transport and road safety challenges witnessed in the state is here to stay.

He made the declaration at a consultative meeting with the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu; Leader of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos Chapter, Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya (AKA MC Oluomo) and representative of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Mr. Albert Omotayo, Deputy Chairman (OPS), held at the State Police Command in Ikeja.

RovingNaija reports that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had launched 500 units of First and Last Mile (FLM) buses in May this year to be deployed to communities as alternative means of transportation in addressing the security threat posed by commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada.

Sanwo-Olu had noted at the launch that the mini buses would address Okada-related crises that had generated widespread concern on safety among residents, adding that they will offer services which the high-capacity buses were not designed for.

He was unequivocal about the vision underlying the introduction of the initiative

“As a responsible Government, we are launching this scheme in response to two major issues. One is the alarming statistics of fatal accidents recorded from the operations of Okadas in Lagos between 2016 and 2019, and the use of Okadas for the facilitation of crime across the metropolis.

“The goal is the full implementation of a safer and more efficient alternative transport solution that takes out the need for Okadas and replaces them with safer buses that will help us curb incidents of Okada-related accidents, crimes and robberies,” he had said.

However, some months down the line, Okada riders are still hopeful that this initiative may fall into insignificance and pave the way for their return, hence the riot act by the Governor to stakeholders as expressed by Fayinka, who explained that the meeting was organised to further seek the full cooperation of the transport stakeholders in the State on the smooth operation of the First and Last Mile (FLM) buses launched by the State Government to enhance inner community routes transportation.

He urged both the NURTW and RTEAN to cooperate with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) for the smooth running of the FLM buses which have been deployed to some areas of the State.

While reiterating that the State Government will not tolerate any form of harassment from individuals or Unions on the smooth running of the buses along the designated routes, the Special Adviser charged LAMATA to fulfil the necessary obligations to the transport unions on the mode of operation.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, assured the stakeholders of his unflinching support by directing the Area Commanders and DPOs in all 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State to ensure the safety of both commuters and the operators of the FLM buses.