By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has concluded the fifth and final stakeholder engagement on the development of the Lagos Freight Policy and Regulatory Framework, as part of efforts to transform freight movement across the state.
The engagement, held under the theme, “Smart Freight for a Thriving Lagos,” brought together leaders and representatives of market associations, wholesale and retail commodity groups and logistics operators to provide practical insights into challenges affecting the movement and distribution of goods across Lagos.
Funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented in collaboration with technical consultants, Innovative Transport Solutions (ITS) and FAOCON, the engagement represents another milestone in LAMATA’s efforts to establish a more efficient, predictable and cost-effective freight system.
It also builds on previous consultations organised by the authority throughout the policy development process, which brought together government agencies, transport operators, businesses and other stakeholders across the freight and logistics value chain.
The fifth session focused particularly on market operators and commodity groups, recognising the critical role markets play in connecting producers, importers, wholesalers, retailers and final consumers.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, Technical Adviser, Planning, Engr. Osa Konyeha, said efficient freight movement had a direct impact on the cost and availability of goods in Lagos.
He said large volumes of food, agricultural produce, clothing, electronics and automotive parts move daily from ports, farms and factories to markets across the state, stressing that the efficiency of such movements directly affects businesses, traders and consumer prices.
Konyeha identified congestion, delays in last-mile deliveries, difficult market access, inadequate loading and unloading facilities and parking constraints as some of the factors driving up logistics costs and contributing to product spoilage in some cases.
He explained that the emerging Freight Policy would address these challenges through clear, safe and reliable guidelines for freight operations, while creating an enabling environment for investment in logistics infrastructure and services.
The interactive session, moderated by Dr. Alban Igwe, provided stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss practical solutions to persistent supply chain challenges in major commercial centres, including Mile 12, Oshodi, Balogun, Alaba International, Computer Village and Ladipo Auto Market.
Key areas of discussion included last-mile access, loading and unloading arrangements, inventory storage, parking and measures to minimise disruptions that could affect the timely delivery of goods.
The engagement underscored the importance of ensuring that the freight policy reflects the realities of stakeholders who move, receive, store and sell goods across the state.
With the conclusion of the consultation process, LAMATA is expected to consolidate the inputs gathered from stakeholders as it moves towards finalising a comprehensive freight policy framework anchored on data, technology, multimodal integration and public-private collaboration.
The authority said its objective is to develop a freight system that enables goods to move safely, efficiently and reliably from ports, production centres and distribution hubs to markets and consumers, while reducing avoidable costs and disruptions.
LAMATA said the partnership with AFD and technical support from ITS and FAOCON further reinforces its commitment to developing an evidence-based, inclusive and responsive freight policy capable of supporting Lagos’s rapidly growing economy.
