Lagos intensifies efforts on light up project, plans night operation for BRT

The Lagos state In fulfillment of the
electioneering campaign promise of Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos State Government
has intensified efforts on the Light Up Lagos
Project, an initiative aimed at lighting up every
nook and cranny of the State.
Already, most major highways and streets have
been lightened up, while massive repair of street
lights are being carried out in other strategic
places.
In keeping faith with the actualization of the
project targeted at creating an enabling
environment that will ensure 24-hour power
supply to residents in the next two years,
Governor Ambode had set up an Advisory Council
chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat
Oluranti-Adebule, with a charge on them to make
electricity available to Lagosians for both
business and domestic use.
Governor Ambode had equally urged individuals
and corporate bodies to light up their streets and
neighborhood, with a promise that such gestures
would be duly rewarded and recognized by the
State.
The main idea behind the setting up of the
Advisory Council was said to have been for
members, who were drawn from the public and
private sector, to liaise with the Federal Ministry
of Power to actualize the dream.
Speaking on the progress made so far on the
project, a source said: “If you notice, in the past
few months, if you move from Berger to Lekki,
Ikorodu to Lagos Island, the entire Ikeja axis,
Victoria Island, Ikoyi and so on, it is very clear
that there are more street lights in Lagos today
more than ever before.”
While expressing confidence in the sincerity of the
Ambode administration, the source however
expressed hope that government would be able to
sustain the project and make sure that street
lights are on at all times in the State.
When contacted, Lagos State Commissioner for
Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo
confirmed the efforts being made by government
toward lighting up every nook and cranny of the
State, and recalled that same were in line with
the campaign promise made by Governor Ambode
to the people.
Oluwo said to underscore the commitment of
government, arrangement has been concluded on
having Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses to work
at night once the light up project is completed.
He said: “This is one of the campaign promises
made to the people by the Governor and just like
he has fulfilled others, this project will not be an
exception.
“The intention of government is to light up all
highways in the State. In fact, the Governor is
about to embark on 114 road reconstruction
which will be done two per each Local
Government Areas and Local Council Development
Areas in the State with walkways and street
lights.
“You see, the street light project is more or less
complimentary to the security equipment worth
N4.8 billion recently donated by the Governor to
the police, and the ultimate goal is that when all
the street lights are on, we will start having BRT
buses working at night.
“You will recall that the Governor also promised
to make Lagos city a 24-hour economy, this
exactly is the change that the people voted for.
We just appeal and pray that the Governor will
continue to have the energy and resources to
consummate all the promises and Lagos will be in
the real sense of the word a megacity.”
"We are assuring Lagosians that the process of
lighting up every corner of the state has begun in
earnest and we are not going to stop until we
achieve our aim", Oluwo said.