- By Halimah Olamide
The Lagos State Government has said that plans have been concluded to take delivery of 2, 000 brand new vehicles for taxis in the Lagos Ride (Lagride) model.
The government is also expecting delivery of additional 3,000 of such vehicles within the next few months.
The state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed these at the signing of a partnership between the investment arm of Lagos State Government, Ibile Holdings, and a Chinese automobile company, CIG, at the Government House, Alausa, Ikeja.
No fewer than 1,000 of the 5,000 will be Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.
The Lagos Ride Scheme is a government initiative aimed at eliminating rickety cars used as taxis on the roads in Lagos.
The scheme allows operators, who are not owners of the taxis they drive, to acquire the vehicle through the “lease-to-own” scheme.
The Lagos Ride Scheme will help the driver/operator own the car in three to four years after fully paying for it.
Sanwo said at the partnership signing ceremony that the gesture would enhance smart transport in line with the state government’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of creating a safer and cleaner environment to mitigate the effects of climate change and build a technologically-advanced transport system.
“This will begin to change the carbon footprint that we have been talking about.
“We are happy that the assembling line
is functioning and working well here in the heart of Ikeja,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that the development was aimed at providing economically viable and environment-friendly public transport system for Lagos residents at different levels.
“It is employing people, and it is turning dreams that we have into an enterprise for us.
“This government promised an integrated urban mass transportation system.
“I would like to thank the current management staff of Ibile holding for using our investment vehicle to execute what we believe will be a successful joint venture,” he said.
The governor also called for more public/private partnerships.
He said that the government’s collaboration with the automobile company would boost employment opportunities for youths.
“We will also be pushing in over 200 million dollars into the economy,” he said.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, expressed optimism that the vehicles would provide safe and smart transport.
The Chairman of CIG, Diana Chen, thanked Lagos State Government for its over 200,000 dollars counterpart funding.
Chen promised that the company would continue to provide employment for youths in Lagos State.