#citi_BOY series: "The realities of Lagos may thwart Mr. Tinubu's ambitious plans; the city is collapsing as fast as it grows, disappearing under a mountain of rubbish" read the article LAGOS HOPE FOR CHANGE
-BBC Barnaby Phillips, on
Saturday, February 20, 1999.
A Thread 🧵
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-BBC Barnaby Phillips, on
Saturday, February 20, 1999.
A Thread 🧵
–1
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Prior to the emergence of citi-boy, previous administrations spent millions of dollars on ambitious projects that were either not completed nor put into use, in other to make significant impact on the city.
Prior to the emergence of citi-boy, previous administrations spent millions of dollars on ambitious projects that were either not completed nor put into use, in other to make significant impact on the city.
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu with his persistent vision, potentials and subsequent implementation of high government policies was undaunted by the speculations of pundits and the like.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu with his persistent vision, potentials and subsequent implementation of high government policies was undaunted by the speculations of pundits and the like.
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In his mind, a better Lagos state would be realized within an appropriate time framework and he got busy thereafter, so much work to do for the citi-boy.
In his mind, a better Lagos state would be realized within an appropriate time framework and he got busy thereafter, so much work to do for the citi-boy.
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Taking a careful review of the growth trajectory of Lagos state would attest that Lagos state serves as an example of the linkage between a strong political commitment and transfiguration of an African megacity.
Taking a careful review of the growth trajectory of Lagos state would attest that Lagos state serves as an example of the linkage between a strong political commitment and transfiguration of an African megacity.
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When Tinubu became governor of Lagos State, there were over 10 million residents living there. As a result, the city had serious transportation problems, including traffic, pollution, noise and environmental degradation, and the job of the Citi-boy was to clean up the mess.
When Tinubu became governor of Lagos State, there were over 10 million residents living there. As a result, the city had serious transportation problems, including traffic, pollution, noise and environmental degradation, and the job of the Citi-boy was to clean up the mess.
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Massive waste accumulations were everywhere in the city when Tinubu first assumed office, by 1999, the majority of rubbish was being illegally deposited, frequently on the side of the road, and the Lagos Waste Management Authority had fallen into chaos under the military.
Massive waste accumulations were everywhere in the city when Tinubu first assumed office, by 1999, the majority of rubbish was being illegally deposited, frequently on the side of the road, and the Lagos Waste Management Authority had fallen into chaos under the military.
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More extensive organizational reforms were being implemented by his administration. With the launch of Operation Clean Lagos, the state government upgraded landfills and restructured the private sector contracting scheme to guarantee
More extensive organizational reforms were being implemented by his administration. With the launch of Operation Clean Lagos, the state government upgraded landfills and restructured the private sector contracting scheme to guarantee
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that contractors were only paid if they really transported rubbish to designated sites.
In 2005 Tinubu appointed Ola Oresanya, a seasoned LAWMA official, as managing director, his team worked to raise employee morale by making sure wages were paid on time,
that contractors were only paid if they really transported rubbish to designated sites.
In 2005 Tinubu appointed Ola Oresanya, a seasoned LAWMA official, as managing director, his team worked to raise employee morale by making sure wages were paid on time,
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implementing performance incentives, and introducing additional benefits for workers.
The LAWMA improved the oversight of private contractors' performances while requiring them to modernize their garbage removal vehicles.
implementing performance incentives, and introducing additional benefits for workers.
The LAWMA improved the oversight of private contractors' performances while requiring them to modernize their garbage removal vehicles.
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These reforms were made possible by more funding, as a result of rising state revenues and steadfast backing from Tinubu.
From roughly $8 million in 2004 to roughly $15 million in 2006 to over $65.0 million in 2008, state capital expenditures for LAWMA surged.
These reforms were made possible by more funding, as a result of rising state revenues and steadfast backing from Tinubu.
From roughly $8 million in 2004 to roughly $15 million in 2006 to over $65.0 million in 2008, state capital expenditures for LAWMA surged.
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The number of garbage transport vehicles available to LAWMA increased from 53 in 2003 to over 700 in 2009.
The state government hired thousands of street sweepers as rubbish collection improved as part of a program that, according to Oresanya, was also designed to create jobs
The number of garbage transport vehicles available to LAWMA increased from 53 in 2003 to over 700 in 2009.
The state government hired thousands of street sweepers as rubbish collection improved as part of a program that, according to Oresanya, was also designed to create jobs
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The number of persons employed directly and through contractors in waste management had increased from 1,000 in 2002 to over 20,000 employees now.
The number of persons employed directly and through contractors in waste management had increased from 1,000 in 2002 to over 20,000 employees now.
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To decongest the roads after becoming governor, Tinubu learned of a World Bank plan already in place to reform urban transportation in Lagos—a plan the military had ignored—and requested that it be put into action.
To decongest the roads after becoming governor, Tinubu learned of a World Bank plan already in place to reform urban transportation in Lagos—a plan the military had ignored—and requested that it be put into action.
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2002 saw the approval of the Lagos Urban Transport Project initiative. The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority was established when World Bank representatives insisted on the establishment of a competent urban transport authority to carry out the project.
2002 saw the approval of the Lagos Urban Transport Project initiative. The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority was established when World Bank representatives insisted on the establishment of a competent urban transport authority to carry out the project.
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LAMATA,One of Lagos State's more overt technocratic enclave, it's professionals came from the Nigerian diaspora who had previously worked abroad for companies like London's transport authority.
LAMATA,One of Lagos State's more overt technocratic enclave, it's professionals came from the Nigerian diaspora who had previously worked abroad for companies like London's transport authority.
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Dayo Mobereola, managing director of LAMATA, was a transport consultant in the UK.
Large buses could not operate on the previous, crumbling infrastructure, therefore, the state government started developing brand-new, high-capacity bus systems during Tinubu's second term.
Dayo Mobereola, managing director of LAMATA, was a transport consultant in the UK.
Large buses could not operate on the previous, crumbling infrastructure, therefore, the state government started developing brand-new, high-capacity bus systems during Tinubu's second term.
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The first significant project was a bus rapid transit (BRT) experimental route on a significant transportation corridor, as suggested by World Bank. The buses can bypass traffic with the use of dedicated lanes.
The first significant project was a bus rapid transit (BRT) experimental route on a significant transportation corridor, as suggested by World Bank. The buses can bypass traffic with the use of dedicated lanes.
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Additionally, Lagos State established LAGBUS, a state-owned business that leased large buses and operated bus routes. It provided numerous travel possibilities but lacked a dedicated lane.
Additionally, Lagos State established LAGBUS, a state-owned business that leased large buses and operated bus routes. It provided numerous travel possibilities but lacked a dedicated lane.
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By formally announcing the building of the blue and red lines, Bola Tinubu also revitalized the Alhaji Lateef Jakande abandoned rail system for Lagos State.
It took several years to plan the BRT, the first system of its sort in sub-Saharan Africa,
By formally announcing the building of the blue and red lines, Bola Tinubu also revitalized the Alhaji Lateef Jakande abandoned rail system for Lagos State.
It took several years to plan the BRT, the first system of its sort in sub-Saharan Africa,
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in part because of drawn-out talks with the bus union.
Cooperation from the union was crucial in securing private funding for the project because large BRT vehicles are substantially more expensive.
Investors, however, were hesitant to invest for fear of upsetting the NURTW.
in part because of drawn-out talks with the bus union.
Cooperation from the union was crucial in securing private funding for the project because large BRT vehicles are substantially more expensive.
Investors, however, were hesitant to invest for fear of upsetting the NURTW.
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To persuade union leaders that they could gain from the BRT, LAMATA funded excursions to Latin America for NURTW executives to learn how BRT systems operate in other countries and how unofficial bus operators have been absorbed into the new systems.
To persuade union leaders that they could gain from the BRT, LAMATA funded excursions to Latin America for NURTW executives to learn how BRT systems operate in other countries and how unofficial bus operators have been absorbed into the new systems.
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In addition to significant political backing from Tinubu, LAMATA benefited from World Bank protection. The World Bank assessed Lagos's performance as "very satisfactory" in a report on the program, noting that
In addition to significant political backing from Tinubu, LAMATA benefited from World Bank protection. The World Bank assessed Lagos's performance as "very satisfactory" in a report on the program, noting that
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"the state government's dedication to successful implementation of the programme accounted for a substantial part of the success."
Former project manager for the Bank, Ajay Kumar, claimed that because other cities lacked the same degree of political commitment as Lagos did,
"the state government's dedication to successful implementation of the programme accounted for a substantial part of the success."
Former project manager for the Bank, Ajay Kumar, claimed that because other cities lacked the same degree of political commitment as Lagos did,
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the World Bank had trouble completing urban transportation projects in those cities.
The LAGBUS and BRT line opened in 2007 and 2008 respectively and the rest is history.
the World Bank had trouble completing urban transportation projects in those cities.
The LAGBUS and BRT line opened in 2007 and 2008 respectively and the rest is history.
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By his final days in office Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set Lagos state on a path to cleaner transport as well as environment.
By his final days in office Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set Lagos state on a path to cleaner transport as well as environment.
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the World Bank had trouble completing urban transportation projects in those cities.
The LAGBUS and BRT line opened in 2007 and 2008 respectively and the rest is history.
the World Bank had trouble completing urban transportation projects in those cities.
The LAGBUS and BRT line opened in 2007 and 2008 respectively and the rest is history.
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By his final days in office Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set Lagos state on a path to cleaner transport as well as environment.
By his final days in office Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set Lagos state on a path to cleaner transport as well as environment.
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