Written by Olumide Iluyomade

BUILDING A RAPID MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM IN LAGOS (METRO-RAIL)

I have pondered about the possibility of the Nigerian Government building a comprehensive and well integrated Rapid Mass Transit System (Metro-System) that is rail based and truly functional in Lagos. I know that what Lagos state is doing now is supposedly called a mass transit system, however, the truth is that it is actually a Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT) and it is limited in its effectiveness (as it is currently being executed) and is grossly inadequate in scope and scale. There is no where in the world where you can find a city or metropolitan area that is the size of Lagos existing without a Metro-System or Rapid Transit System. As a matter of fact, there are very few cities in the world with over 2 million inhabitants that do not have a comprehensive Metro-System. You can go from London to Mexico to Cairo to Bangkok to Shanghai to Moscow to New York to Johannesburg to Rio de Janiero to New Delhi to Sydney to Tunis to Paris to Vancouver to Los Angeles to Berlin to Tokyo - I do not care where you go, the story is the same - all big metropolis are the pride of their respective national governments and they always have an integrated, comprehensive Mass Rapid Transit System (Metro-system).

Lagos is estimated to have a population of somewhere between 9 million and 16 million denizens!. A quick look at Lagos and even a nut-case can easily come to the conclusion that a Metro-Rail service is desperately needed!. Lagos has become a nightmare, a hellish habitation with no evidence of intelligent plan or foresight, an agglomeration of relentless anarchy intermingled with chaotic and miserable depravation, an unworkable and lawless cornurbation of mythical proportions, a convoluted maze of unbearable gridlock and unproductive quadmires. The Denizens of Lagos spend unimaginable hours in desperate transition -  sweating, cursing, fighting, struggling and pushing against all odds and accomplishing little. Billions and billions in productivity and purposeful living is thrown out of the window everyday!. The cost to the nation and to the health of those affected is at the very least inmmeasurable. For any leader or government to observe this and have nothing to offer, year after year, by way of planning and relief is an unfortunate disaster, a collossal error of judgement, a great shame and an outrage! We have never had the priviledge of a government worthy of its name and this is evidenced in the state of affairs in the Nation. If we think the nation is distressed, then Lagos is even more so and the heart of this problem is in the successive elevation of visionless, depraved and worthless men to positions of authority. Needlessly, the current state of Lagos can be described in few words - incomprehensible chasm of despair!!

What Lagos needs is a committed government that is willing to do the following:

1) Carry out a total reorganisation and recomposition of the town planning ministry in Lagos state: This agency or government ministry is the most useless department perhaps surpassed only by the Nigerian Police Force. The heads of this departments need to be fired and the whole department needs to be restaffed and reconfigured with purpose, direction and a long term plan that is not only workable but also scalable. Currently, all we have is barbarians running our affairs and lining their pockets.

2) Build more roads: . By this I mean trunk roads (multiple lane highways like Ikorodu road): It is pathetic that lagos, despite its huge size and population, only has five trunk roads. This are the same roads that have been constructed 30-40 years ago at its infancy. A quick look at Lagos on google earth will reveal to any sensible person the urgent need for major trunk roads to service the metropolis. Currently, Lagos has Ikorodu Road which goes on to become Western avenue and finally spills into Lagos Island via Eko bridge. Secondly, Lagos has Third mainland bridge which starts on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, passes through Ojota and ends up spilling into Ikoyi/Lagos Island. Thirdly, Lagos has Badagry expressway which starts in Badagry and runs parallel to the shorelines through Festac and eventually spilling its traffic unto Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge via Orile-Iganmu exchange. The number four trunk road is the Agege motorway which starts from Ogun state and runs through Oshodi and Mushin, cutting across Ikorodu road/Western Avenue and interconnecting to Herbert Macaulay way into Ebute-Metta and onward to Third Mainland bridge or Carter bridge. The final and fifth trunk is the Apapa - Oshodi expressway which goes on to empty into 3rd Mainland bridge. Ozumba Mbakwe road which leads through VI to Epe road and out of Lagos may be considered as somewhat of a trunk road since it is being heavily used for that purpose having surpassed and exceeded it's design limit. This is the comprehensive arterial traffic building block upon which lagos is built and it is now grossly inadequate!. Lagos will need nothing less than five new trunk roads and highways, perhaps ten, to be considered a reasonably functional city by world standards. That there are only two(2) bridges between Lagos Island, VI and Ikoyi is mind boggling and pathetic - London is a city separated by the thames river and there are no less than 13 major bridges linking the two sides and this does not include train bridges and a vast network of alternatives!.

3) Construct a 4th Mainland bridge from Ajah Area to Ikorodu Area: The need for this has been screamed and stressed over end over again. This could be one of the new trunk roads that lagos so desperately needs today. A 4th mainland bridge could be extended to continue as an 8 laned highway that goes beyond ikorodu and loops round across Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and running as a primary trunk highway across Ogba and Abule-egba area, south of Ota and Ogun state border before looping south into Badagry Expressway. This could serve as the primary belt-way and the approximate distance would be about 96km. A highway or motorway is essentially a multiple lane road designed for fast moving vehicular traffic WHICH does not allow grade entry or exit except at designated exit ramps - this is the true meaning of a highway!(not the nonsense we have all over the place now).Third mainland could be a good example.

4) Invest in and build a Rail based Rapid Mass Transit System (Metro-system): Lagos could start with one line of Light Rail. There is an existing railway right-of-way that runs through all the transportation nerve centers of the city (this is an incredibly lucky break for Lagos!). The existing line runs through Agoro/Abule Egba, Alagbado, Ogba, Ikeja, Agege, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Iddo park and Ebute-metta. A sensible government will invest money and extend the line into lagos Island by building a rail bridge parallel to carter bridge. If all this major transportation nodes where adequately and frequently serviced by this Light Rail, this will experience ridership never before seen plus the fact that it will reduce traffic on roads and reduce cost of transportation for the people. This can be systematically followed by another line from Ikorodu to Ojo (badagry way). My plan, which is obviously not the only way to do it, ultimately calls for four(4) Metro lines which are mainly non-electric grade level rail lines. It proposes the use of Diesel-Electric Multiple Units (DEMU) on separated grade tracks, making as much use of existing rights-of-way as possible. This Metro system includes 186km of urban two-way tracks with up to 106 Surface train Stations. Rolling stock consists 180 DEMU units - each unit consists of (2) slave-wagons sandwiched between (2) powered bi-directional carriages. System will be capable of moving 1.5 - 2.2 Million passengers per day. Fare system will be by reloadable charge card and will be a fixed amount regardless of distance within the Metro line. Future upgrades may include the electrification of train operation and the addition of new lines. The only section of this proposed metro system that would be underground is the section that runs from Muritala mohammed Airport to MMA-2. This is because neither 'Grade' construction nor 'Elevated' construction option will be suitable, Underground would be the only solution to avoid Runway and facility intrusion at both the international and the local side of the Airports.  The total cost of this kind of project in Lagos, in my estimate, will be in the neighbourhood of $4.0 billion (and this is extremely cheap when compared to the cost in other parts of the world). It is worthy of note that a great deal of that fund, up to $1.5 Billion, will be used to purchase Right-Of-Way by property acquisition processes (and thus a lot of that money will be stimulating the local economy directly!). It is my estimate that 15,000 to 22,000 homes will have to be eliminated. Not only is the cost to benefit ratio unparalleled in the modern world but it will also be capable of a revenue turnover of between N65billion and N96billion per annum. Over several years, I have gathered and researched a plethora of feasible options and possibilities in executing this laudable project, but I can only briefly summarize the concept here.

5) Invest in, revamp and expand water transportation alternatives: Many cities of the world that are blessed with extended waterways make use of it in the most beautiful and attractive ways. Water transportation can be very efficient in moving large volumes of people and cargo at minimal cost. Water transportation can be both convenient and practical alternative because of the unique geographical topography of Lagos, it can also be a major element in easing traffic congestion,  Furthermore it adds character, style, entertainment and draws tourism to the city if used properly.

6) Outlaw police roadblocks and other intransigent road obstacles of government agencies: The reason for this is obvious and should need no further pontification. Not only are they constituting themselves as a nuisance, they extort money from public, cause traffic jams, damage our image (especially for a nation that is trying to attract foreign investors) and fail to prevent crime. Also I would strongly recommend scrapping that nonsense contraption called LAMSA - it's purpose and essence is questionable and probably unlawful and this is aside from the fact that it's actions, methods and approach are a throwback to the 18th century!

7) Security, security, security : This doesn't mean roadblocks or Nigerian police brutality, this means establishing a Lagos State Metropolitan Police Department (depends on what the constitution allows). Essentially it should be a highly mobile, community based police department which will be trained and tailored to serve and protect the people rather than oppressing them as the Nigerian police force does. Note that I did not call them a "police force" (which is  a paramilitary police organization fashioned for citizen suppression!) but rather a civilian based department for enforcement of 'laws' and for maintaining 'Order', thereby evoking public trust and cooperation. One of the primary purpose of this Police department will be traffic violation enforcement by way of ticketing and the establishment of a highly dynamic Lagos State Traffic Court. This is a court where thousands of cases will be heard in multiple courtrooms within a week and penalties are monetary and not jail time. There would also have to be an impound department under the police department that deals with impounded vehicles in certain cases as stipulated by the law. It is a simple process, citizens will be issued a ticket for violation of traffic laws and they have the option of either paying the ticket or going to contest it in traffic court. A driver who has been given a ticket will have his/her license impounded until fine is paid or court appearance is made. In the interim, a provisional paper license is issued by the ticketing officer until the case is concluded. There are actually many ways of ensuring ticket is paid but this is just an example. The benefits of this methods are endless; volume of traffic violations in lagos will reduce drastically, traffic will improve, Lagos state will raise billions in revenue, lifes will be saved, quality of life will improve, etc The Department will also be charged with armed robbery interception using thoughtful, intelligent, modern technics - There will be 2 officers to every patrol car, every officer will be equipped with a two-way police radio with dedicated bandwidth that is broadcasted through a central communication command to every police officer's radio. Use of deadly force will and must be approved by HQ, back-up call is a primary tactical defensive strategy with the use of non-lethal weapons in necessary circumstances. Officer weapon training and public courtesy training will be required every 6 months.

8.) Re-organise Transportation Industry: Immediately outlaw NURTW and all it’s components and gangster activities. There can only be one government and authority to which commercial drivers are subjected to. We cannot continue to live in this state of anarchy where we are continuously subjected to the wimps and caprices of hoodlums, touts and social misfits. This phenomenon can also be directly linked to common acts of violence, extortion, robbery, criminal activities and all forms of lawlessness in Lagos. Secondly, the government needs to establish and construct hundreds of functional transport or bus terminals which are located and designed to integrate and compliment the Metro-rail - these transport terminals are suppose to feed and disperse the train station passengers. Finally, the Government should immediately proceed to establish a four(4) pronged policy implementation by establishing and creating the following: 
A)- Commercial Drivers Licence – this will be a class A professional driver’s licence that must be acquired before anyone can drive a commercial vehicle in Lagos. Acquiring this licence will require going to perhaps 90Hrs of classes and training. All applicants must pass both a driving test and a traffic law test before being issued a licence. This licence can be revoked, suspended or withheld by a Traffic court.
B)- All commercial vehicles must have a "Privately Operated Commercial Transportation (POCTRA)" Permit which will be like a Hackney permit that enables transporters to legally operate within the state.  This permits may be local government specific and all operators will be required to get permit for whatever local government(s) they operate in. All commercial vehicles shall have a POCTRA registration number that is boldly written on vehicle for easy identification.
C)- All commercial vehicles will be required to pay Road Tax, a levy which is pro-rated according to the category of the vehicle. Road tax payment proof shall be a dated, security embossed windshield sticker which every commercial vehicle shall be required to have. Road Tax will be renewable every six(6) months.
D)- All commercial rated vehicle will be required to pass a standardized Lagos state ministry of transportation test (MOT). This approval shall be valid for only twelve(12) months from date of first issue. A repair order may also be issued by a traffic court. No vehicle shall be issued any of the other required licences and permits without passing MOT.
An active and effective implementation of these policies will sanitise the transportation industry, bring a higher standard and establish government oversight whilst eliminating undesirable elements and creating much needed revenue for both state and local governments.



I have spent many months taking a look at the problems of Nigeria and using Lagos as a case study. It is a well known fact that whatever problems may exist in other parts of Nigeria, is magnified 10 times more in Lagos!.  Based on this premise, it would be  reasonable to start with Lagos and to assume that he who can solve the problems of Lagos, can make a headway against Nigeria's other problems. Lagos is the 800Ibs gorilla in the room! - no one can be master of the room until they tame the gorilla!. I have spent months and hundreds of my free hours developing a comprehensive and integrated development plan for Lagos that spans all this areas I spoke about. It is not practical for me to put it all here because of it's sheer volume however, I thought it imperative to start a discussion along this line - perhaps it may lead somewhere!.

Lower Image is the graphical representation of a comprehensive and Integrated Rapid Mass Transit System. (Below). An updated satellite image will soon be added.

Are you Hot when you were writting this?

Midas, Nice job.  Big applause for you, well written and thought out!! Nice job!

Who said anything about 18 months?? Development and growth is continuous and always costs money, what makes a great leader is resourcefulness - the ability to search deep into the plethora of options and resources available to the government (and by this I do not mean money alone), and find enterprising ways of financing, funding and advancing the means and aspirations of his/her people.

Midas02:

Who said anything about 18 months?? Development and growth is continuous and always costs money, what makes a great leader is resourcefulness - the ability to search deep into the plethora of options and resources available to the government (and by this I do not mean money alone), and find enterprising ways of financing, funding and advancing the means and aspirations of his/her people.

this current one has been there about 18months right?
the previous one got the paid and got the plan from investors
but the OBJ govt didn't approve it in the end

about funding, if you are not a Nigerian chances are you wont spend a kobo
getting involved with with anything long term in nigeria as everything is risky
and unpredictable, the opportunities for investment is amazing!! but ask yourself
why arent these big guys flocking in considering the returns and near zero tax*
very low labour etc. there are chances in a JV you will only be getting phase1 counterpart
funding after phase3 or three years after completion, you will probably be dealing with a new
minister every three months who has to see the president to sign documents personally!

decongesting lagos

You must know that this was not written as a rebuttal for any particular governor. It always amuses me how most people only see obstacles rather than opportunities!. I will repeat what I said earlier - the mark of a great leader is in his resourcefulness! Most massive projects the world over and especially metro projects are undertaken by Governments and not by private enterprises. We may continue to give excuses for poor and mediocre performances or we can demand the higher standards we deserve.
Telling me something is impossible or difficult is just a total lack of imagination. If Awolowo could accomplish the things he did in 1959 with no oil revenue and no federal support I see no reason why Lagos state can't accomplish any number of these objectives. Finally, there are many more ways of financing public projects other than involving private investors. The prevailing private investor madness in Nigeria has been taken too far, it has not only been poorly managed but has also been carried out on a misinformed and misdirected premise. There is a time and place for everything in life, Rapid Mass Transit Systems (Metro-Systems) projects are certainly not for the faint hearted nor are they private investor friendly worldwide! It is certainly not an advisable option for a country having such little oversight, poor stability and questionable reputation.

these obstacles are not imaginary mon ami they are there for all to see everyday

Most massive projects the world over and especially metro projects are undertaken by Governments and not by private enterprises

that's in the past and remember these countries have the human and financial resources to pull this off anyway, they don't need to import 'experts' or equipment; if they were to source funding from international bodies they have credibility consistent policies and capable leadership with traceable background
moreover, in recent times I doubt the British government for example will build anything without massive commitment from the private sector!

@Poster, great article. I have been dreaming of investing in such a project since the possibility was announced way back during ObJ's time. Lagos state happens to be a state that can, not only handle this but run it profitably. I heard of Obj possibly signing a contract with some chinese companies on something like this back in 2005 but I guess that never saw the light of day. Fashola can and should look into something like this and I bet there are many Nigerians out there looking to invest in such venture.

China to build metrolines in Nigeria

Yar’Adua’s plan for Lagos and Abuja

President Umaru Yar’Adua said Saturday in Shanghai, China, that the Government would soon embark on the development of metro lines for some major cities and welcomes Chinese technical assistance for the projects.

Speaking at the Shanghai Shentong Metro Company on the last day of his state visit to China, Nigerian President Yar’Adua said his administration was currently exploring options for financing the project.
In a statement made available to panapress Saturday, the Special Adviser to the President on Communication, Olusegun Adeniyi, quoted Ya’Adua as saying "We will b e seeking your technical inputs very soon and I hope you will offer us the assistance because we need to develop metro lines for some of our major cities like Lagos and Abuja to bridge the transportation gap.
"The main challenge is finance but once we have sorted that out, we will be getting back to you for technical assistance," the President told senior executives of the company.
The Shanghai Shentong Metro Company operates the Shanghai Metro which is one of the world’s newest and most rapidly expanding subway system with an average of 2.18 million passengers daily in 2007.

Source: http://en.afrik.com/article12717.html

waow,i wish that you could be elected into power,with leaders like you,Nigeria will definately develop into a land flowing with milk and honey,i truely agree with the creation of a metro system as i experienced the convenience of a metro system in the uk.all your points are indeed wonderful.do you know the funniest thing my brother? all our leaders travel abroad on a daily basis and they see these things!!.thank you

Excellent write up. The guys at the top simply wont do it.

@poster
Tinubu was to start some of these things but Obasanjo frustrated his efforts and i think Governor Fashola has all these in his plans, dont forget how complex Lagos is. The Governor is only human and cant do this alone and I think u should try and send ur article to him, I bet you he'll appreciate it.

@topic

While mass transit is a highly commendable project, we cannot embark on any of these ideas until an honest tax policy is in place, ie sales and income tax. We are still of the belief in Nigeria that the Govt should pay for all our needs but we fail to see that the Govt needs our capital to fund these massive projects. Unfortunately we have seen what the Govt does when they have access to huge capital, so we are back to square one. I wish I had a solution!

@Midas02

I am deeply pained whenever i come across Nigerians that reason like u.
Cos I know that this 'system' does not deserve you.

However my brother i urge you not to give up, but instead to keep that mind of urs working.
Plus u should initiate plans that would catapult you into the Decision making cadre,
tho it might involve doing some not so pleasant stuff, but all for the greater good.
Who knows, u might succeed Fashola by 2015, It all starts with u Imagining it.

Fashola seems to have struck as much of a balance as he can trying to set us on the right path.
However, i pray that he stays the course & eventually his successor (after 2nd term) will be able to build on his foundation.

the problems of Lagos & Nigeria @ large, cannot be wished away but require at least 10 - 15 years of dedicated positive action.

Eko ni baje

Long live Nigeria

You are right diggler, I expect 10 - 15 years of dedicated hard work and commitment before lagos can start emerging on the global city scene.

tumfulu:

Are you Hot when you were writting this?

Excellent contribution by tumfulu, a round of applause is certainly due ladies and gentlemen.

On topic though. It's wonderful to see that you've really thought this thing out so thoroughly (too many "th's"?). We need more people like you in government right now.
I particularly liked what you said about a water transport system being used to encourage tourism and the like. Also, I don't know much about it, but the Lekki Master Plan is surely a step in the right direction, no?
But seriously though, Lagos has no excuse. Look at Dubai, it used to be nothing more than a desert. Now they have snow at that their indoor ski slope. I really hope I can look forward to a developed Lagos (and Nigeria) in the future.

@Midas02

Nigeria does not lack ideas, we lack genuine leadership. Pretty much all those who serve get caught up in this constant cycle of greed and corruption. A lot have gone into government with good intentions, but fail because there is endemic institutionalized failure imbibed in our operational procedures. Except there is genuine oversight, checks and balances, and a 'willing to do' attitude, any project will simply create another funnel for siphoning money and hence another abandoned 'white elephant' to ponder over. Good ideas though.

Kudos man. brilliant and well articulated. Obama for lagos 2015

Outlaw police roadblocks and other intransigent road obstacles of government agencies: The reason for this is obvious and should need no further pontification. Not only are they constituting themselves as a nuisance, they extort money from public, cause traffic jams, damage our image (especially for a nation that is trying to attract foreign investors) and fail to prevent crime. Also I would strongly recommend scrapping that nonsense contraption called LAMSA - it's purpose and essence is questionable and probably unlawful and this is aside from the fact that it's actions, methods and approach are a throwback to the 18th century!

this is what i agree with the most,

bros ebe like say you vex write this thing, but talk is one thing action is everything! How i wish their was a way to table all these ideas directly to the government, to people like fashola and yaradua in person without some progress hindering corrupt official standing in the way.

even in south africa and ghana i bet transport their is much better than ours!!!

not jus transport, what about electricity

mountain of fire prayer point for the week:

all corrupt government , police and armed forces officials should die by fire of the holy ghost!!!

erm but i have the feeeling if that happened their would be dead bodies running into millions,  oh well!

Problem with Nigeria is not like of idea but we are DISHONEST.

remove that and you will be amazed with progress within a year.

God help Nigeria. once conceivable, it is achievable. once there is a will, there is a way.

Horus, asking China to help us build a Metro-system is like asking Mugabe to help advance democracy!. It is like asking a man with impaired vision to lead the blind! This is the kind of poorly conceived and ignorant decision making that keeps plaguing our nation with absolutely no end in sight. So let me scream it: CHINA'S METRO SYSTEM AND RAIL NETWORK IS ITSELF A PRODUCT OF CO-OPERATION WITH FOREIGN MULTI-NATIONALS!!!.

Any Government that intends to make serious decisions with regards to Metro-systems should be talking to such multi-nationals as the Bombardier Corporation, Siemens AG, Alstom Corporation, Mitishi MetroWagon Corporation, Veolia Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy industries, Hyundai-Rotem and so on. These are the movers and shakers who built the technology and helped the chinese accomplish their goals. Obasanjo gave the chinese CCCCP company contract for constructing 1400km of standard gauge railway at a whooping cost of $6.2billion, what has come out of it??. China's railway industry is only just modernising and maturing yet and we keep dealing with those two novice nations - China and India!

a good write up, i believe in a new nigeria, that one day we will get there. Kudos to Fashola, he is on a right track, i so much believed in him, he can deliver and he will deliver.

Midas02:

Horus, asking China to help us build a Metro-system is like asking Mugabe to help advance democracy!. It is like asking a man with impaired vision to lead the blind! This is the kind of poorly conceived and ignorant decision making that keeps plaguing our nation with absolutely no end in sight. So let me scream it: CHINA'S METRO SYSTEM AND A RAIL NETWORK IS ITSELF IS A PRODUCT OF CO-OPERATION WITH FOREIGN MULTI-NATIONALS!!!.

Any Government that intends to make serious decisions with regards to Metro-systems should be talking to such multi-nationals as the Bombardier Corporation, Siemens AG, Alstom Corporation, Mitishi MetroWagon Corporation, Veolia Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy industries, Hyundai-Rotem and so on. These are the movers and shakers who built the technology and helped the chinese accomplish their goals. Obasanjo gave the chinese CCCCP company contract for constructing 1400km of standard gauge railway at a whooping cost of $6.2billion, what has come out of it??. China's railway industry is only just modernising and maturing yet and we keep dealing with those two novice nations - China and India!

Now 'told' them. This guy is ticking all the right boxes. I would like a friend like you.

Midas02 welldone, but please try and send it to Fashola

@Midas02
Please can we meet online? Am desperately in need of political allies who will focus on Nigeria's development becoming a reality.What I have always dreamt of with practicality. [email]femisalawudeen@yahoo.co.uk[/email]

@Midas

This is one of the best post i have seen on nl in quite a while.9ice job buddy!!


Midas for Commisioner os Transport 09,

Midas02:

Horus, asking China to help us build a Metro-system is like asking Mugabe to help advance democracy!. It is like asking a man with impaired vision to lead the blind! This is the kind of poorly conceived and ignorant decision making that keeps plaguing our nation with absolutely no end in sight. So let me scream it: CHINA'S METRO SYSTEM AND A RAIL NETWORK IS ITSELF IS A PRODUCT OF CO-OPERATION WITH FOREIGN MULTI-NATIONALS!!!.

Any Government that intends to make serious decisions with regards to Metro-systems [b]should be talking to such multi-nationals as the Bombardier Corporation, Siemens AG, Alstom Corporation, Mitishi MetroWagon Corporation, Veolia Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy industries, Hyundai-Rotem and so on. These are the movers and shakers who built the technology and helped the chinese accomplish their goals. [/b]Obasanjo gave the chinese CCCCP company contract for constructing 1400km of standard gauge railway at a whooping cost of $6.2billion, what has come out of it??. China's railway industry is only just modernising and maturing yet and we keep dealing with those two novice nations - China and India!

the thing i like  about 'brilliant write-ups' is that they are usually impractical, sometimes unrealistic and just touch on the basics, if you visit the lagos megacity website, you'll notice all 'your' ideas are right there, it's probably been there since tinubu time

Again, I ask you why aren't these movers and shakers trooping in?
What's this "enterprising ways of financing, funding and advancing the means and aspirations of his/her people" you talk about- that have not been explored?

dude. i think you should present this to the minister of works or transportation. Nobody will answer you here oo

Mr Midas. Please contact me asap. tunde_gbadamosi@hotmail.com

nice post! I learned at least three new words from your post. thanks a lot.