By Ayodele Abere
Government at all levels have been called upon to make plans to extend the use of bus ridership network to cover more cities in Nigeria to increase accessibility among city residents as well as integrate bus ridership such as the Rail Mass Transit and Water Transport Systems in the city.
The call was made by Professor Babatope Andrew Ogundare, during the third inaugural lecture of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti BOUESTI, held at the University main campus in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Professor Babatola Ogundare, a Professor of Transport Geography who’s the inaugural lecturer with the topic, Geo-Spatial Analysis of Ride-Sharing: A Transport Geographer’s View, said that the over-reliance on road transportation in Nigeria has placed much pressure on the country’s infrastructure, leading to congestion, road deterioration and increased travel time.
He therefore suggested that railways and inland waterways should complement road transport, especially for long freight movement.
The Don who emphasized that the issue of Ride-Sharing with the use of different means of transportation must be paramount in transport planning in Nigeria to maintain a lively atmosphere in any urban environment as part of his recommendations stated that, government should as a matter of urgency, encourage the construction of ring or circular roads in cities across Nigeria noting that such would aid efficient distribution of traffic within urban centres.
Adding that the government must prioritize achieving and maintaining world-class standards of Bus Rapid Transit BRT and overall road operations which according to him includes investing in local workforce development, and enhancing maintenance capacity to ensure long-term sustainability.
Professor Ogundare, who also pointed out that safety is a top priority in public transport operations said guidelines for efficient service delivery should be fully adopted and implemented. “Proper scheduling of bus ride-sharing services is essential to accommodate the growing number of passengers. Additionally, the introduction of real-time monitoring devices would enhance service efficiency, aligning bus operations with global transport standards”.
In his remark, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olu Aturamu who described the lecture as very fantastic, urged government to think deeply and do what is best for the citizens.
On his part, the Dean, Students’ Affairs of the University, Professor Clement Oladayo Daramola Asoju, while thanking God for the programme coming up again in BOUESTI, which he decribed as another landmark, remarked that the Inaugural lecturer, Professor Ogundare was the first Ikere indigene to make such presentation.
Also, the Deputy Provost, College of Post Graduate Studies of the Institution, Professor (Mrs). Ojo Olabimpe Iyabode, who appreciated the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Victor Adeoluwa for taking the University beyond human imagination, explained that having such a programme would definitely make the University one of the transformative institutions in the world.
” He has delivered successfully. People have now gained tremendously through the lecture”, said he.The lecture was well attended by family members, friends, colleagues and several well-wishers.
