Sanwo-Olu seeks stakeholders’ collaboration to upscale transportation sector

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has enjoined stakeholders in the transportation sector to come forward with ideas, solutions, and collaborations that will help the state in creating a robust, inclusive, and sustainable urban mobility ecosystem.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call on the various that include transport operators, technology providers, and civil society organizations in the state, while speaking at the National Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility, organized by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

Speaking at the event, themed: “Implementing Safe, Inclusive, and Climate-Resilient Urban Transport in a Digital Age for Sustainable Development,” held at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu said it was clear that government alone cannot shoulder the burden of transforming the state transportation systems and, therefore, the need for collaboration.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said there was the need to forge a strong partnership in order to scale the transportation sector in Lagos. His words, noting that the private sector had an essential role to play in building the transport systems of the future.

“We must foster strong partnerships with the private sector to accelerate progress. From financing large-scale infrastructure projects to providing innovative services and technologies, the private sector has an essential role to play in building the transport systems of the future,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, affirmed that the state government, through LAMATA and LASWA, was leveraging technology to improve public transport operations, reduce traffic congestion, and make travel more convenient for its residents.

According to him, the use of real-time data to monitor traffic patterns, the deployment of contactless payment systems, and the introduction of mobile apps to provide up-to-date transit information, are just a few examples of how the state is embracing digitalization, noting that the possibilities for greater innovation were endless to make the state transport systems more efficient, sustainable, and resilient, thereby laying the foundation for long-term urban growth.

“The possibilities for greater innovation are endless, from autonomous vehicles to smart traffic management systems, we must continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies that will make our transport systems more efficient, sustainable, and resilient, thereby laying the foundation for long-term urban growth,” he said.

The governor, while pointing out that 21st Century is defined by rapid technological advancements and transportation being no exception, posited that the tools to revolutionize the way people and goods were moved were now in existence.

“From smart cities to intelligent transport systems, we now have the tools to revolutionize the way we move people and goods. Lagos, being one of Africa’s leading tech hubs, is uniquely positioned to harness the power of digital technologies to enhance urban mobility,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu further said that his administration was exploring clean urban transport solutions that would incorporate the use of hydroelectricity, CNG, biomass, geothermal energy, and even renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar energy into its public transport system.

This was just as he noted that the transportation sector contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, saying that the sector alone accounts for nearly a quarter of energy-related global emissions, making it imperative that the planet transition to greener, more efficient, and sustainable systems.

Highlighting some of the plans of the government towards sustainable urban mobility, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that LAMATA was currently implementing two (2) pilot demonstration schemes on CNG buses and Electric buses.

He noted the need to design systems that catered to the specific needs of women, children, and those with mobility challenges, saying that his “administration is committed to making public transportation safer for women, ensuring that harassment and insecurity have no place in our transport systems.”

The governor emphasized that the conference’s theme reflects both the complexity and urgency of the work ahead of the state, saying that it challenges every individual to confront the intertwined crises of climate change, urbanization, and social inequality while embracing the opportunities presented by digital innovation.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, in his address, charged Nigerians to aspire to a future where urban transportation systems contribute to the welfare of all citizens and the vitality of the planet.

According to Osiyemi, Climate-resilient urban transportation is essential for sustainable development, particularly as cities grapple with the growing impacts of climate change.

The commissioner listed some key strategies and policies currently implemented in Lagos to include; the electrification of transport, multimodal transport system, climate-resilient infrastructure, and technological advancements, adding that by integrating these strategies, cities can develop transportation systems that were not only sustainable but also resilient to the effects of climate change.

“This comprehensive approach ensures that urban transport contributes positively to the overarching goal of sustainable development,” he concluded.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, in her welcome address, said transportation was central to sustainable development, connecting people and destinations, while resulting in opportunities and livelihoods.

Engr. Akinajo noted that the importance of sustainable transportation cannot be overstated in the midst of the global climate crisis, currently threatening human existence.

According to her, the current threats include different transport externalities in the form of road crashes, greenhouse gas-(GHG) emissions, traffic congestion, and other negative social, environmental and health impacts that adversely affect the well-being of humanity.

“Sustainable transportation has emerged as the imperative solution to mitigate environmental degradation, alleviate traffic congestion, and enhance the overall quality of urban life,” LAMATA boss said.

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