The Ogun State Ministry of Transportation is working on a systemic synergy with Local Governments in the State to enhance service delivery and ensure a safe, accessible and affordable transportation system, particularly at the grassroot.

Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Engr. Gbenga Dairo who dropped this hint in Abeokuta at an interactive session with the Local Government Chairmen and other relevant government agencies in the transportation sector, noted that the move would create a viable transportation system capable of enhancing socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

According to him, the synergy would put in place a sustainable transportation system and efficient traffic control mechanism that would reduce travel time, prevent road fatalities and crashes, assuring the council bosses that their constitutional authority would not be undermined in the process.

          ‘’Our Ministry can only achieve its primary objective of making the transportation sector safe, accessible and affordable through a systemic synergy with the local governments, which would avail direct grassroots connect with transport end users and in turn empower them to tackle transportation challenges in their localities in line with the State Transport Master Plan”, the Commissioner disclosed.

He assured that no stakeholders would be left out in achieving the set goal of making the Ogun transportation system attractive and comfortable for all passengers within and around the State, stressing that relevant traffic control and management agencies under Ministry of Transportation, such as Park and Garages Development Agency (PAGADA), Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) and Vehicle Inspection Services would be empowered to enhance their operational performances.

Speaking further, the Commissioner explained that his agency would embark on a statewide tour with a view to acquainting council leadership and other critical stakeholders with the State Transport Master Plan, pointing out that such deliberate concerted efforts would help combat transportation challenges effectively.

In his contribution, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Afolabi Afuape, charged all the Local Governments Chairmen to key into transportation policies and programmes of the State government for the development of their various areas.

Speaking on behalf of his colleague chairmen, the Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Engr. Babatunde Emilola-Gazal, lauded the Ministry for sharing plans to develop an institutional framework for transportation system and as well not restricting its on-going efforts at tackling transportation challenges to major cities in the State.

Emiola-Gazal who is the Chairman, Ijebu-Ode Local Government also expressed the readiness of his colleagues to cooperate with the State government towards replicating the approved transport master plan in their various Local Government Areas.