The Lagos State Government says it is collaborating with the Lagos Urban Development Initiative (LUDI) to observe the first ever ‘Car Free Day’ in Lagos on Sunday being on the 25, September 2022.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said this in a statement through the Deputy Director, Public Affairs Unit of the Ministry, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, in Lagos today.
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He also said that the initiative was to encourage road users and motorists to set aside their cars for a day.
Oladeinde said they will on that day, take up active and inclusive means of transportation such as motorcycle and walking, known as Non Motorized Transport.
“Traffic will be diverted around Alausa/Ikeja as motorcycle drivers will utilize Governor’s Office Road, through Mobolaji Johnson Ave, Billings Way, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Aromire, Adeniyi Jones, and Oba Akran Way for bicycle rides to mark the event.
“About 400 meters of the Governor’s Avenue will be closed for the event.“The aim of the initiative is to create awareness about the benefits of Non Motorized Transport, including reduced environmental pollution.
Oladeinde also said;
“This initiative will also reduce insufficient physical activity and sedentary behavior to promote the health of the people regardless of their ages.” He cited the significant drop in air pollution recorded during the Coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, when movement was curtailed and many private cars and public vehicles were off the roads.The commissioner said that this resulted in reduction of vehicular carbon emissions into the atmosphere, thereby improving the quality of air, as well as increase in physical exercise and improved health conditions.
“Vehicular emissions have now become a global issue. In Nigeria as well as other developing countries, 25% of the air pollution problems are as a result of automobile exhaust.
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“This is very evident in the number of unroadworthy, Smoky vehicles hitting our roads on a daily basis, causing not just health issues but visibility problems and sometimes accidents,” Oladeinde said.
He also mentioned that the event will provide cities and governments an opportunity to do more in advancing public transport systems which could be more efficient through provision of viable, reliable alternatives to the cars in urban areas.
The commissioner said that this could also be done by implementing Non Motorized transport, whereby walking, cycling and inclusive mobility were given priority. Mr Oladeinde said that the event was coordinated by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation along with other Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Lagos Urban Development Initiative.
Oladeinde said that Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would work hand in hand with the Nigeria Police Force to manage vehicle movements on the diversion routes. He pleaded with the public drivers to cooperate with the interventions put in place to minimize inconveniences.