The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and transport unions have signed a memorandum of understanding to officially begin the Bus Industry Transition Programme (BITP).

The unions are the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, on Wednesday, described the Bus Industry Transition Programme as a legacy initiative designed to align both the formal and informal transport sectors.

Mr Osiyemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olawale Musa, said that the programme would transform public commuting in Lagos through a gradual implementation process.

He called on transport unions to actively collaborate, participate in, and support the initiative.

“The ultimate objective of the programme is to make daily commuting easier, safer, and more efficient for Lagos residents,” the commissioner said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, said that BITP was an initiative aimed at modernising and formalising Lagos’ informal public transport sector.

Ms Akinajo said that this would be achieved by integrating traditional transport operators into a structured and regulated transport system.

“Members of the transport unions are urged to embrace the initiative and fully key into the programme, to foster a more efficient and sustainable transportation system across the state,” she said.

In separate remarks, the chairman of NURTW, Lagos State, Mustapha Sego, and the chairman of RTEAN, Samson Adepeju, expressed delight at being part of the initiative.

They pledged the support of their unions and committed to ensuring the smooth implementation and success of the programme. 

(NAN)