{"id":115501,"date":"2015-05-12T06:00:46","date_gmt":"2015-05-12T06:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=115501"},"modified":"2015-05-12T08:25:58","modified_gmt":"2015-05-12T08:25:58","slug":"nigeria-in-pictures-lagos-facelift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=115501","title":{"rendered":"Nigeria in pictures: Lagos facelift"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"story-body__introduction\">Nigeria&#8217;s commercial capital, Lagos, has had a makeover over the last decade, as this gallery from the BBC&#8217;s Ayo Bello shows:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\">Revamping the transport system has been the focus of bringing an element of order to the chaotic city, and much of the credit lies with outgoing Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola.<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width no-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82715000\/jpg\/_82715260_2008.jpg\" alt=\"Bridge in Oshodi market, Lagos Nigeria - 2008\" width=\"636\" height=\"261\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714946_4.jpg\" alt=\"Bridge in Oshodi market, Lagos Nigeria - 2015\" width=\"632\" height=\"259\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">These photos of Oshodi market show how the gridlocked traffic has been eased over the last seven years. Environment ministry officers showed no mercy&#8230;<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width no-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82715000\/jpg\/_82715262_2008_.jpg\" alt=\"Buses and crowds in Oshodi market in Lagos, Nigeria - 2008\" width=\"659\" height=\"270\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714947_5.jpg\" alt=\"Oshodi market in Lagos, Nigeria - 2015\" width=\"583\" height=\"239\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">They demolished all the illegal structures in just a few days in 2009. Roads have since been rebuilt and separate sections allocated for buses collecting passengers.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714948_6.jpg\" alt=\"A red bus in Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"574\" height=\"323\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">Providing fast lanes for buses has also been a priority, as crossing the city in rush hour can take three hours. Red buses, part of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), are now more common&#8230;<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714949_7.jpg\" alt=\"Workers at a construction site for a new bus station in Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"528\" height=\"297\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">However, commuters are sometimes left stranded by nationwide fuel shortages. The new routes and bus stations are expected to have digital displays with up-to-date travel information.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714950_8.jpg\" alt=\"A newly built railway track in Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"579\" height=\"326\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">With a population of 21m and growing, the vision is to have seven overground railway links. The first of these &#8211; the Blue Line &#8211; is expected to open this year&#8230;<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714985_9.jpg\" alt=\"View of newly built raised railway track in Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"569\" height=\"320\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">But the project, which has sections of the track raised above ground, has been hit by financial problems and disputes with the federal government &#8211; as the state has been run by a rival party.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714952_10.jpg\" alt=\"A cyclist by a toll bridge in Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"518\" height=\"291\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">It is a brave cyclist who takes to the roads as dangerous driving in the city is often to blame for accidents and hold ups. This is the toll on the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, which opened in 2013&#8230;<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714953_11.jpg\" alt=\"Lekki-Ikoyi bridge in Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"537\" height=\"302\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">It links the booming suburb of Lekki with affluent Ikoyi but there have been disputes over the 250 naira ($1.25, \u00a30.85) toll. Some residents feel the publicly funded bridge should be free.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width no-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82715000\/jpg\/_82715263_9eaaa6ba-a21a-4127-a3a9-ade1e4c1f0a7.jpg\" alt=\"Makoko slum in Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"636\" height=\"148\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714976_13.jpg\" alt=\"Makoko slum in Lagos, Nigeria - 2014\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">Three bridges link the mainland to Lagos Island, the heart of the city. Makoko lagoon slum can be seen from Third Mainland Bridge. In recent years, some slums have been demolished&#8230;<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714977_14.jpg\" alt=\"Eko Atlantic City construction site, Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"671\" height=\"377\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">But no provision is being made for new housing for the poor. This is the Eko Atlantic City project.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714978_15.jpg\" alt=\"Eko Atlantic City construction site, Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"573\" height=\"322\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">It is being built on reclaimed land and developers hope it will become the financial centre of Nigeria &#8211; and home to at least 400,000 residents.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714979_16.jpg\" alt=\"An estate being built on reclaimed land on Lagos Island and Ikoyi, Nigeria\" width=\"544\" height=\"306\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">The state government is building some housing and has launched a mortgage scheme aimed at the middle class. This estate will be made up of two- and three-bedroom apartments.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width no-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82808000\/jpg\/_82808687_flyover_getty2005.jpg\" alt=\"Flyover in Lagos Nigeria, pictured in 2005\" width=\"638\" height=\"359\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82808000\/jpg\/_82808691_flyoeverbbc_2015.jpg\" alt=\"Flyover in Lagos Nigeria, pictured in 2015\" width=\"638\" height=\"359\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">Part of the Lagos facelift has focused on removing rubbish from underneath flyovers and bridges and the gangs, known as &#8220;areas boys&#8221;, who used to hang around there.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714980_17.jpg\" alt=\"Wecycler cyclist in Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"633\" height=\"356\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">Lagos produces 12,000 tonnes of waste a day. Households pay for rubbish collections. One scheme is trying to encourage recycling by awarding points that can be exchanged for prizes.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width no-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714982_19.jpg\" alt=\"Wall of Freedom Park Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"569\" height=\"320\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714983_20.jpg\" alt=\"Gardens of Freedom Park Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"638\" height=\"359\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">A former colonial prison on Lagos Island has been turned into a leisure and arts centre. With many live performances at Freedom Park Lagos, it has become the cultural hub of the city.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"media-landscape full-width has-caption\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-image-replace\" src=\"http:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/media\/images\/82714000\/jpg\/_82714984_21.jpg\" alt=\"Roller bladders in Campos Square, Lagos, Nigeria\" width=\"663\" height=\"373\" \/><figcaption class=\"media-caption\"><span class=\"media-caption__text\">But there are fears some of Lagos&#8217; old architecture &#8211; like the Brazilian quarter of Lagos Island &#8211; will be lost, as demolition is often preferred to make way for new buildings and shopping malls.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nigeria&#8217;s commercial capital, Lagos, has had a makeover over the last decade, as this gallery from the BBC&#8217;s Ayo Bello shows: Revamping the transport system has been the focus of bringing an element of order to the chaotic city, and much of the credit lies with outgoing Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola. These photos of Oshodi [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":115503,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-115501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-papa-owusu-ankomah"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=115501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/115503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=115501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=115501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=115501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}