The Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, on Thursday, said that an alternative fuel study is being conducted in order to deploy e-vehicles (EV) to test the proof of concept and thereafter increase to 50 buses during the pilot phase.
At the agency’s 20th anniversary press briefing, held at LAMATA Place Ojota-Ketu, Lagos, Mrs. Akinajo said: “In our quest to improve our air quality, we are exploring alternative fuel for urban mobility. We are conducting an alternative fuel study. We’ve collaborated with Oando Clean Energy Limited to deploy e-vehicle (EV) to test proof of concept and thereafter increase to 50 buses during the pilot phase. The plan is to increase the fleet to over 1,000 buses in the next two years”.
She also discussed the implementation of transport projects, including the Lagos Urban Transport Project (LUTP) and the Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP).
“LAMATA commenced the implementation of transport projects with a $200 million credit from the World Bank for the implementation of the Lagos Urban Transport Project (known as LUTP1), a project which gave birth to the first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lite system in Lagos. The World Bank has described it as the first successful BRT in sub-Saharan Africa. We also implemented the LUTP 2, which was jointly funded by the World Bank and the Agence Française de Dévelopment (AFD).
“LAMATA’s first Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), was developed in 2009 for the Lagos metropolitan area. However, due to dynamics in travel demand, the follow-on 2014 STMP was developed to cover the Lagos Megacity region, comprising the entire Lagos State and four neighbouring LGAs in Ogun State.
“While we were implementing the LUTP 1 and 2, we embarked on the rehabilitation of a number of roads, straddling Federal, State and Local Government roads, under our Declared Road Network (DRN). The DRN covers 630 kilometres identified as germane for the daily commute of Lagosians. A greater percentage of these roads were rehabilitated to ease commute.
“Some of these roads include Akin Adesola, Idejo, and others in Victoria Island, Oba Sekumade Road, Ikorodu, Ayo Alabi Road, which connects Ajayi Road to Ogba in the Ikeja Local Government area of the State, Alaba Road, Ojo, WEMPCO Road, Ikeja, Ijegun Road in Alimosho and many others”.
The LAMATA MD further stated that the agency’s efforts in addressing environmental issues, such as the flood problem on WEMPCO Road, and conducting air quality studies to assess the impact of public transport solutions on the well-being of the people.
She said: “LAMATA was also able to solve the flood problem on WEMPCO Road with an underground drainage with outfall into Omole Gorge.
“We conducted several air quality studies to determine the impact of our public transport solutions on the wellbeing of the people.
“Within these 20 years, we have developed the Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan (LSTMP), constructed, and operationalized the 13 kilometres and 34 kilometres Oshodi Abule Egba and Ikorodu CMS BRT Corridor respectively.
“We have implemented two of the six rail lines – Blue and Red – under our Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) project. In conjunction with MOT, LAMATA facilitated the development of the Lagos Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) policy, which the Lagos State Government approved in 2019
“If you will recall, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, under his administration’s THEMES+ agenda made the first letter T(Traffic Management and Transportation) a priority.
“In the life of this administration, we have implemented the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) with the deployment of new buses for public transportation for the BRT classic, Standard routes, First and Last Mile bus routes following the implementation of recommendations contained in our Bus Route Network (BRN) Study.
“Under the BRI, the Lagos State Government procured 920 environmentally buses which we manage on behalf of the Government. As part of the BRT, we have constructed Modern Bus Terminals at Ikeja, Ojota, IfakoIjaiye, Yaba, Oyingbo, MMIA/Ewu, Ajah, Abule Egba etc)”.
She noted that LAMATA has implemented an Intelligent Transport System (ITS), and deployed an Automated Fare Collection System using Cowry Card with over four million cards in use.
She emphasised that the agency’s commitment to providing employment opportunities through its maintenance programmes, and expressed the vision for a future Lagos where all transport modes are integrated, emission levels are reduced, and eco-friendly rolling stock like CNG, biofuel, and electric buses are deployed.
Akinajo said: “Currently, we are implementing the AFD and IFC funded Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan Phase 1 (LSTMPP1), which involves the construction of two Interchanges, eight Quality Bus Corridors, and the implementation of various thematic studies to support the LSTMP Projects.
“We are also piloting the use of 10 CNG buses along selected public transportation corridors to test their adaptability to public transport in Lagos.
“LAMATA over the years has provided employment to a broad spectrum of the society through our maintenance programme known as routine. When you see people cleaning our infrastructure, sweeping the road wearing gear with the inscription “working for LAMATA” please know that they represent our vision of a transport system that works for Lagos.
“As we begin another 20 years, our vision is to see a Lagos where all transport modes are integrated, and people do not need to put their vehicles on the road to get to where they want to go. We see a Lagos where emissions will be reduced and finally along with the state’s vision achieve a net zero position by 2050 through the deployment of eco-friendly rolling stock like CNG, Biofuel and electric buses.
“I wish to acknowledge the vision of those behind the establishment of LAMATA, especially the then Lagos State Governor, now our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu along with our Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who was part of the birth and currently driving that vision. I also acknowledge the contribution of His Excellency, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, for his foresight in starting the construction of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line. The decision to commence the construction of the Blue Line in 2010 is commendable and is now yielding results as the rail system has moved over 1,00,000 passengers since 4th September 2023.
“We thank his successor, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for starting the Bus Reform Initiative, starting with the construction, completion, and commissioning of the Ikeja Bus Terminal.
“Our Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has been hugely supportive in seeing the transportation agenda of the state following a winning part using the State’s Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP).
“I would also like to acknowledge my predecessors in office starting from the pioneer Managing Director, Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Engr. Abiodun Dabiri for their roles in growing LAMATA. I equally acknowledge the labour of all former directors and staff of the organisation I wish to assure them that the vision for LAMATA would be sustained”.
She expressed appreciation to stakeholders and partners for their support, while also stating the desire for continued understanding and collaboration as LAMATA strives to create a world-class sustainable integrated transport system for Lagos.
