France’s Minister of Development Commends Improved Public Transport in Lagos

France’s Minister of State for Development, Francophone and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, has expressed satisfaction with the level of support the European nation is giving to Lagos State in improving its public transport system.

The minister, who was in Nigeria to represent the French Government at the inauguration of Nigeria’s 16th President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, used the visit to connect with Lagos State authorities responsible for water and land transportation, which included a deep-dive session in projects supported by the French Development Agency (AFD).

Over the past 12 years, France through AFD has been investing US$700 million in the development of Lagos State including US$350 million to develop the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). This has contributed to reducing travel time and travel costs for millions of Lag os ian sand to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

After a briefing on urban mobility challenge sat the Lagos State Water ways Authority (LASWA) in the presence of the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, the minister embarked on a boat trip around Lagos island to see major infrastructures to be delivered under two key projects supported by France: the Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan( L ST MP) project and the Waterways Investment and Development of the Environment in Lagos State (WIDE-LAG) project.

On the boat trip, the minister could see Marina interchange hub to be developed under LSTMP from where the Blue Line of the metro system recently inaugurated by Lagos State starts, and could observe various ferry terminals to be upgraded by 2028 under the WIDE-LAG project at Ebute Ero, Lekki 1, Falomo and Victoria Island.

She expressed her happiness with what the partnership has been able to offer the state.

“I was very impressed by my field visit this morning (on Thursday) and I can testify the excellent partnership between France and Lagos State,” she said.