A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dipo Olorunrinu, on Monday 18th Of November 2019 supported the recent call by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa that the state government should invest in rail infrastructure for the development of the state.
Obasa had penultimate Friday, during his remark after receiving the 2020 budget, called on the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to focus more attention on the rail to connect the entire state.
Olorunrinu, who represented Amuwo-Odofin Constituency I in the Assembly between 2015 and 2019, told newsmen in Lagos that the over-dependence of roads was not sustainable for the commercial city.
While speaking against the deplorable condition of roads as well, the former lawmaker, however, applauded Sanwo-Olu’s efforts at road maintenance.
According to him, the issue of the railway should be truly considered now looking at huge funds that is annually voted for road construction and maintenance each budget year, yet no end to the traffic problem in the state.
“Many of these roads don’t last again because of Lagos peculiarity and the issue of water and flooding. Lagos State, being a metropolitan state, should invest in rail and water transport as a solution to transport problems in the state.
“I align with the advice of the Lagos Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa to the governor during the Year 2020 budget presentation on Nov. 8 that Lagos needs rail infrastructure to move forward. That is the way to go in Lagos as we see in London, New York, Amsterdam and other cities with huge population like ours in Lagos,” he said.
Olorunrinu pointed out that the state must move forward to developing rail having discovered that road infrastructure had been overstretched and maintenance usually gulps huge amounts every year.
“With rail, commuting from one end of the state to another won’t be a difficulty again. It will be safe and cheaper for the mass majority of residents.
“We sincerely need to change our tactics in addressing Lagos road traffic. The speaker is right when he advised the governor to start somewhere in developing rail transport. We will get there someday. We must refocus and lay emphasis on rail,” he added.
While noting that people must get value for their funds, the lawmaker urged the governor to move fast in road maintenance now that rainfall had subsided.