West Africa’s Largest Transport Terminal Launches In Kogi
January 20, 2016 would go down as yet another historic day in the annals of Kogi state. The day marked the launching of the ultra-modern Lokoja mega terminal in the state. About 14,000 passengers per day resulting in an expected average of about 3.5million passengers per annum will use the terminal, with a capacity of over 500 vehicles.
Kogi state which is the only state in Nigeria bordered by ten other states therefore conferring on her capital, Lokoja, the opportunities of a transport hub. Exploiting this opportunity was a major consideration by the Idris Wada led administration when it conceived the idea for the Lokoja Mega Terminal.
Speaking at the launch of the terminal, His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, “For a long time in Nigeria, Motor Parks typically convey the picture of dingy havens, where all manner of vices reign supreme. Touting, thuggery, violence, drugs, alcohol intoxication, child labor are a few associations many people have with motor parks in Nigeria.”
“FRSC published data on Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) revealed that between 2012 & 2014, there were a total of 30,532 road accidents nationwide involving 132784 passengers with 13% fatality rate. If these figures are anything to go by, then it means that road accidents have assumed the dimension of an endemic disease, and thus must be given critical attention by the government”, he added.
Governor Mimiko further added, “Strategic investment in infrastructure aimed at changing and shaping the orientation of critical stakeholders in the public transport system such as commercial vehicle operators is not only a commendable way to go, but the only one. This Mega terminal will aid in providing operators with the right psyche. And with the undeniable rise of terrorists and retrogressive elements targeting public spaces, a controlled and secured environment like this becomes imperative. I am indeed delighted that the government of Kogi state stayed true to its course of people-oriented programmes despite the extremely challenging economic times for the country.”
Describing the Lokoja Mega Terminal, the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Governor Idris Wada said, “This terminal is the flagship project of the transport masterplan, which was conceptualized by this administration for Kogi state. Facilities available at the terminal include loading bays, parking areas, shops, clinic, banking services, washing bays etc. Facilities like the motel and filling station are currently under development and will be managed in conjunction with the private sector under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) law that was passed by earlier under this Administration.
The transport terminal will solve the problem of indiscriminate parking and disorganized motor park activities around the town that have contributed to creating traffic gridlocks in Lokoja. Other aspects of the transport masterplan for the state include the Lokoja subsidized bus service, the Lokoja interstate franchise service, the Lokoja intracity bus service and water transportation service. ”
It would be recalled that Governor Wada flagged off the kogi state transport masterplan with the launch of the Lokoja metro bus service in 2014. The Lokoja metro, which was the first government-subsidized public, transport service in the country, brought about a sharp reduction in transport fare from N150 to N50 within Lokoja town.
“This project is in keeping faith with my belief that as a state we must continue to look for ways to shore up the revenue base of the state. My position has been further buttressed by the economic reality of these present times wherein our dwindling allocation as a state often even falls short of our recurrent expenditures. Till date, this administration has entered into about 42 PPP arrangements nearing various stages of completion – Top of which is the 11-storey Kogi house project in Abuja”
he added.
In a related development, the Wada Administration has also completed the procurement process for the Ganaja flyover process that will ease the traffic situation in Lokoja. In addition to being the first flyover in the state, it is also the first contractor-financed project in the state. TEC ENGINEERING limited – a Chinese company that sourced its funds from the Chinese Government is executing the project.
At a ceremony to herald the project, Governor Wada said “This is not a project where we pay mobilization or advance payment. It is contractor-financed, and a window of opportunity that Kogi cannot afford to miss. This project is for all the people of Kogi, it does not belong to me
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