Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Obafemi Hamzat, yesterday disclosed the reasons behind the delay of the Lagos Light Rail Project.
He said the project has been placed on hold for six months so as to enable commercial motorcyclists and unemployed youths acquire the skills required to be part of the project.
Hamzat made this clarification in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while delivering the Second Distinguished Lecture Series, tagged: “Think Oyo.”
The commissioner, who spoke on: ‘Infrastructure: A Critical Ingredient for National Development,’ said the government suspended the project when it discovered that the contractors planned to import thousands of skilled artisans from Togo, due to shortage of skilled artisans in Lagos.
Hamzat disclosed that the government has instituted five skill acquisition centres, where thousands of commercial motorcyclists and unemployed youths were trained for the project so as to involve Nigerians and to create jobs.
He said: “It is clear that infrastructure, where well implemented, is directly correlated with the development of any community, state or country.
“Experience has shown that people, especially in developing countries, make this sole demand of their government. It is the true test of their support.”
Hamzat also said studies have shown that infrastructure development is a major determinant of economic growth and lack of it hinders sustainable growth.
The commissioner cited the example of how the United States (US) developed its infrastructure and the consequent economic stimulation.
He also referred to Brazil, which spent the last two decades building its infrastructure through borrowing and private sector financing and now ranks among the top eight economies in the world today.
He said Lagos State is focusing on power, agriculture, transportation and housing (PATH) to boost its economy.
Hamzat said the government was working on a blueprint that will give the state leverage on its geographical, economic and demographic strengths.
He said the state’s PATH projects include the widening of the Mile 2 Badagry Road, the construction of the Lekki-Epe road, the Fourth Mainland Bridge, the light rail project, construction of bridges, roads and others that will connect the state with other countries in West African.
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