- Safiu Kehinde
Kano state government has expressed intent to emulate Lagos by introducing to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the northern state.
The state Commissioner of Transportation, Hon. Ibrahim Namadi, revealed the intention after leading a delegation on a fact-finding mission to Lagos State to learn from its advancements in transportation infrastructure and network.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) on its official X handle.
According to the statement, the delegation, which included Hon. Aliyu Isa (Permanent Secretary), Bashir Ado Gaya (Director of Admin and General Services, Ministry of Transportation), Dr. Nura Ibrahim Hassan (Technical Advisor, Transport Policy and Planning), and Najeeb Mahmoud Abdussalam (Transport Specialist Consultant), toured key facilities such as the Ikeja Bus Terminal, the Red Line Ikeja Station, and the Blue Line.
They were received by LAMATA’s Managing Director, Engr. Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, who briefed them on the agency’s activities.
She emphasized the importance of the Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) developed under the leadership of then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now President of Nigeria, and how subsequent governors have adhered to this blueprint, contributing significantly to LAMATA’s success.
Speaking during the tour, Hon. Namadi expressed his admiration for Lagos State’s achievements in transportation and his desire to replicate similar successes in Kano, particularly with the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
He pledged to consult and collaborate with the Lagos State government and the management of LAMATA to achieve this goal.
“We have seen the Blue Line which is very excellent. We have seen much that we want to implement it. If not all in Kano, at least quarter of it because it’s not something that started few time. Lagos started developing all these transport arrangements long ago.
“By the Special grace of God, we will make sure we implement some little in Kano in collaboration with Lagos state.
“We will get more ideas and initiatives so that we can make Kano great great again.” Namadi said.
The visit, according to LAMATA, signalled Kano’s commitment to improving its transportation sector and leveraging the experience of Lagos State.