Under the government of Gov. Babatunde Fashola, Lagos has changed a whole lot, i didn't get to experience the harsh side owing to the fact that i just moved to Lagos almost a year ago,but back then we would hear stories of the almighty Lagos o ;). So it's with great joy i present to everyone the new LASGIDI!!
Revamping the transport system has been the focus of bringing an element of order to the chaotic city, and much of the credit lies with outgoing Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola.
These photos of Oshodi market show how the gridlocked traffic has been eased over the last seven years. Environment ministry officers showed no mercy...
They demolished all the illegal structures in just a few days in 2009. Roads have since been rebuilt and separate sections allocated for buses collecting passengers.
Providing fast lanes for buses has also been a priority, as crossing the city in rush hour can take three hours. Red buses, part of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), are now more common...
However, commuters are sometimes left stranded by nationwide fuel shortages. The new routes and bus stations are expected to have digital displays with up-to-date travel information.
With a population of 21m and growing, the vision is to have seven overground railway links. The first of these - the Blue Line - is expected to open this year...
But the project, which has sections of the track raised above ground, has been hit by financial problems and disputes with the federal government - as the state has been run by a rival party.
It is a brave cyclist who takes to the roads as dangerous driving in the city is often to blame for accidents and hold ups. This is the toll on the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, which opened in 2013...
It links the booming suburb of Lekki with affluent Ikoyi but there have been disputes over the 250 naira ($1.25, £0.85) toll. Some residents feel the publicly funded bridge should be free.
Three bridges link the mainland to Lagos Island, the heart of the city. Makoko lagoon slum can be seen from Third Mainland Bridge. In recent years, some slums have been demolished...
But no provision is being made for new housing for the poor. This is the Eko Atlantic City project.
It is being built on reclaimed land and developers hope it will become the financial centre of Nigeria - and home to at least 400,000 residents.
The state government is building some housing and has launched a mortgage scheme aimed at the middle class. This estate will be made up of two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Part of the Lagos facelift has focused on removing rubbish from underneath flyovers and bridges and the gangs, known as "areas boys", who used to hang around there.
Lagos produces 12,000 tonnes of waste a day. Households pay for rubbish collections. One scheme is trying to encourage recycling by awarding points that can be exchanged for prizes.
A former colonial prison on Lagos Island has been turned into a leisure and arts centre. With many live performances at Freedom Park Lagos, it has become the cultural hub of the city.
But there are fears some of Lagos' old architecture - like the Brazilian quarter of Lagos Island - will be lost, as demolition is often preferred to make way for new buildings and shopping malls.
original work by: Ayo Bello
No comments:
Post a Comment