Sanwo-Olu unveils multi-level car park, facility building to ease traffic congestion

Etim Ekpimah

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated a multi-level car park and facility building at Onikan to ease the parking problems and ensure free flow of traffic in parts of Lagos Island.

According to the governor, the facility with a capacity to accommodate 384 cars on five suspended floors, will bring great improvements to Onikan area of Lagos Island, reduce indiscriminate parking, and greatly resolve traffic gridlocks as well as enhance the ability of businesses to effectively operate.

This was contained in a statement signed by Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Wednesday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the multi-level car Park and Facility Building at Onikan, Sanwo-Olu said: “The ceremony is symbolic of our steady movement towards the Smart Megacity of our dream; a Lagos where no one is slowed down and where we all succeed together.”

The multi-level car park and facility building, which began construction in June 2013 when the incumbent Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, was Commissioner for Works, comprised five car parking floors with a capacity for 384 vehicles with offices for tickets and restrooms on each floor.

The 6th floor is designated as multi-purpose mixed-use consisting of a Club House (410sqm Capacity); two banquet rooms, with a sitting capacity of 800 and 600 persons each; water treatment Plant, Elevators and staircases for smooth pedestrian movement, and Fire alarm systems, CCTV, data network and power.

Sanwo-Olu said the facility is another step towards fulfilling one of the goals of the pillar ‘T’ in his administration THEMES Agenda, which stands for Traffic Management and Transportation

He said: “At the inception of this administration, we promised that our government will work for all, no matter your race, creed or gender. Several months after, we are still committed to this cause, and this has necessitated that we expand and extend the reach of infrastructure to fast-track growth and development across the State.

“Lagos Island could be modestly referenced as one of the largest commercial corridors in the state. There is, therefore, a corresponding increase in commuting, especially, high volume of vehicular traffic including social activities, culminating in traffic gridlock and pressure along this corridor.

“This Multi-Level Facility Building was conceived in 2013 to provide a solution to this problem which essentially is generated by activities related to the stadium and other primary social centres such as Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, King George V Park, Police Command Recreational Centre as well as other facilities in the neighbourhood.”

Sanwo-Olu also assured that the facility will be supported by efficient traffic management and an Automated Fare Collection Service (AFCS) – that will offer an operable payment solution to prevent traffic dovetailing into the main road.

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, said the commissioning of the facility is an affirmation of the resolve of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration to ensure the completion of all inherited projects.

She said: “The unprecedented growth of personalized vehicles has made the provision for parking an important aspect of transport planning which the State Parking Authority Law recognizes.  In a city such as Lagos, scarcity of land is an issue.  Hence a multi-storey car park that utilizes vertical space provides an ideal solution to overcome horizontal space constraints and regulate better traffic flow.

“In deciding to do this, we also realize that this Facility Building is significantly important because of its large size parking capacity, income generation potential and its location strategically within the heart of Onikan. Its judicious use will no doubt help absorb vehicles that would have otherwise parked on the roadside and other illegal parking places along the corridor with its attendant negative impact on traffic flow.

“Aside from creating job opportunities during execution, the facility will help solve the parking issues usually experienced within the axis. It will also reduce traffic congestion, enhance safety and security along the corridor, and of course provide an aesthetically pleasing environment. More importantly, this project will complement all our efforts around the Tourism infrastructure within the precinct of Onikan.

“As laudable as the gains of this project are, there is, however, the need to understand that the challenge of sustainable infrastructure goes beyond just providing a qualitative one without provision for its maintenance.  In resolving this, we have proactively addressed issues that are likely to originate in this regard by putting in place a facility management process which kickstarts into operation from today.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Wasiu Sanni-Eshinlokun, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for building the multi-level car park and facility building.

He also appreciated the incumbent government for turning Lagos Island into a tourism hub through laudable projects and facilities within the axis.