Nigeria stands a chance of becoming part of a global solution to increasing urban gridlocks, as Skyway Africa begins talks in the country to introduce string rail transportation technology investment said to be worth about $400 million.
The technology, which runs on an elevated platform along existing road infrastructure, is basically designed to enable people and businesses to overcome the challenge of increasing urbanization, its associated road congestion and the resultant economic losses.
Lagos, for example, is said to be losing over N42 billion monthly to road congestion. With the state’s population estimated to hit about 30 million people by 2030 amid inadequate infrastructure, analysts are of the view that Nigeria’s economic nerve centre may be a hell of a place to live in and do business unless drastic measures are adopted to move people and goods.
The fast-moving string rail transportation technology, according to the promoters, can cover the distance between Lagos and Abuja in about 45 minutes at an average of 150km per hour.
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Arogundade Samson, regional head of Skyway Capital, the promoter of the technology, told BusinessDay in Lagos, that the innovative transportation technology was eco-friendly, and “does not require much space of land to construct, as it runs on elevated platform as well as generates its own power.
“This new transportation system is eco-friendly, safe, comfortable and significantly cheaper compared to all existing solutions. Having passed a range of international expert evaluations, the innovative string system has proved its validity in several European and Asian countries since 2014.”
In a bid to solve the problems of traffic within the Lagos metropolis and ensure easy movement of people and goods between the city and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, work is in the pipeline for a Hi-Tech transportation system to ply the route.
According to Samson, the transportation system is designed to assist governments to alleviate the sufferings of the people in moving from one point to another.
The company possesses the technical know-how and financial capability to deliver the project in no time, so long it enjoys support and cooperation of Lagos and Federal Government, he says.
Since Nigeria has same challenge with India in terms of population and lack of social infrastructure, the country too stands a chance to benefit from the technology same way India has, he states.
Vladimir Maslov, a member of board of the company, says they are ready to sign an agreement with Federal and Lagos State governments to signal the take-off of the fast-track transportation project.
Maslov believes the system will reduce the rate at which commuters are exposed to accident on the road, zero tolerance for pollution and maximum security of lives and property of passengers.
Ayodele Adewale, Nigerian partner for the project, says it will largely assist government’s drive for better transportation infrastructure in the country.
“I believe there is the need for government to provide incentives for the company to move in their equipment because the project after its implementation will be a win-win for both parties,” Adewale, a former chair of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, says.
He notes, however, that the company is not averse to financial support from government notwithstanding having all it takes to actualize the project.
He says since the technology generates its own power, it will provide illumination along its corridor in communities around its routes.
