Stakeholders from the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State Transport Management Authority, and Federal Road Safety Corps have proposed interventions for a safer and greener transportation system in Lagos State. This comes amid workers' complaints about high transportation costs due to poor roads and traffic issues. The discussions occurred at a summit organized by the NLC Lagos State Council.
At a transportation summit in Lagos, organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State Council in collaboration with affiliate unions, key stakeholders addressed pressing challenges in the state's transport sector. Participants included representatives from the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The event focused on fostering partnerships among government, employers, and employees to create a sustainable system that tackles infrastructure deficits and promotes inclusive engagement.
Agnes Sessi, Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to invest more in road maintenance and to complete and optimize the rail system. She emphasized the need for affordability, security, and reliable schedules as rail expands. Sessi stressed that bad roads must be repaired quickly and traffic officers trained and deployed effectively to reduce congestion. The NLC aims to ensure transportation supports development rather than burdening residents.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh, represented by Joseph Jaiyeoba, highlighted how traffic jams cause lost productivity and stress, while reckless driving and highway crimes endanger lives. He called on transporters to adopt discipline and responsibility.
FRSC Sector Commandant Kehinde Oseni, via Olaseinde Egbontan, noted that Nigeria sees about 60,000 road deaths annually, with work-related crashes being the deadliest. He attributed many incidents to human factors and advocated for greater discipline among drivers.
Keynote speaker Dr. Olusegun Musa, represented by Olusegun Awe-Obe, pointed to infrastructure gaps, regulatory problems, and safety issues as barriers to efficient transport. He pushed for enhanced opportunities in the sector.
