N30bn BRT lane extension to Ikorodu for completion next year The Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola  has assured that the 13.5 kilometre BRT lane extension from Mile 12 to Ikorodu Town would be completed by the end of next year. On completion the extension would bring the total length of BRT lane, from CMS to Ikorodu town to 35 kilometres. Mobereola spoke during a parley with journalists in Ikeja, Lagos adding that the world bank financed project would cost N30 billion to complete. The LAMATA boss called for the understanding of Lagosians to enable them complete the job on time. According to him, solving the transportation problem  in Lagos required gradual solution. “The  situation in Lagos is that the transportation problem has been on for over 40 years and cannot be solved in one day”. He stated that LAMATA is looking into total transport solution in Lagos, which include road, water and rail adding that over 200 million passengers have so far been carried by the BRT buses since it started operation in 2008 on the Ikorodu — CMS corridor. The LAMATA boss pointed out that when they started construction of the BRT lanes years back, the end users did not understand the benefit. He highlighted some of the benefits of the BRT bus operation to include reduction in waiting time, journey time saving, reduction in pollution among others. Mobereola who briefed the press with his management team further explained that the idea of BRT lane project was to ensure better life for the people of Lagos. He however added that LAMATA would not encroach into peoples’ land while building the project as they would ensure that it is within the 60 metres right of way. According to him, the people have been co-operating with the agency by ensuring that they move back on their own and  are not within the 60 metres right of way as stipulated by the law. “People have started moving back on their own. The Ministry of Physical Planning has marked the area, so that those within the stipulated right of way would adjust by themselves,” he said. Continuing he said, “Lagosians are law abiding and compliant. When they are in a place that don’t belong to them they don’t erect expensive structures. They have been informed and we are working within the right of way,”he added  saying that “the issue of compensation may not arise as we are working within the right of way.” So far, he said, that they have been talking to the stakeholders in the last three and a  half years. “We have consulted widely. The issue of compensation may not arise. The governor has signed the law on 60 metres right of way,” and the people are complying. He assured that traders won’t displaced until a new location had been allocated and built for them. “To the best of my knowledge, that is the only compensation we might pay” he stated. Vanguard