PRESS RELEASE

LAMATA Conference
on Public Transportation opens in Lagos

As part of its commitment to ensure an efficient and effective transport system for Lagos State, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is today, 6th May, 2008 flagging off its maiden Annual National Conference designed to create a platform for discussing transport challenges facing emerging megacities in Nigeria, especially Lagos.

The conference will run for two days while participants would be conducted on a guided tour of the BRT corridor on Thursday, 8th May 2008.

The theme of the conference is “Integrated Transport System in Nigeria’s Emerging Megacities: Issue, Challenges and Options.” Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, would declare the conference open.

Respected Geographer and Urban planner, Professor Akin Mabogunje will give the keynote address.

The conference is being held against the backdrop of the determination of the Lagos State Government to regulate the state transport system and implement an integrated intermodal transportation system.

Special attention would be focussed on Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria, which unarguably accommodates more than 10 per cent of the nation’s population.

The major objective of the conference is to provide a forum for local and international experts and stakeholders in public transportation, drawn from the private, public and non-governmental sectors to brainstorm annually on germane contemporary and emergent issues confronting the sector with a view to proffering time-tested solutions towards achieving effectiveness and standardisation in public transport delivery.

The conference would among other things evaluate integrated mass rapid transit options for addressing the perennial problems of congestion and environmental degradation in Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria, examine the different challenges and issues confronting public transportation in Nigeria, and prioritise key areas where action is needed that would enable cities to balance competitiveness with quality of life and environmental sustainability.

It would also review and analyse experiences of mature, transitional and emerging megacities in the developed and developing countries of the world, and map out an effective road map for Nigeria, examine and evaluate the existing weak revenue base and low cost recovery in Nigeria’s public transport sector and proffer practical solutions towards ensuring financial sustainability and analyse the financial complexities involved in building, operating and maintaining public transport infrastructure, capable of meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding urban population; and examining the pivotal role of the private sector in contributing to enhanced efficiency of public transport service delivery.

The conference would be expected to find ways and means of harmonizing responsibilities at the Federal, State and Local Government levels regarding the multiplicity of agencies with overlapping transport-related functions, particularly as it relates to policies, regulations, revenue generation, planning, and maintenance of public transport infrastructure.

Seasoned facilitators at the conference are Dr. George Banjo, Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank, Dr. Moshe Hirsh, Chairman, Jerusalem Masterplan, Professor Babajide Alo of the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos and Professor P.C. Onukala of the Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Others are Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Stephen Ragget, Consultant, Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, Abuja, Mr. Justin Runji, Senior Infrastructure Specialist, The World Bank and Dr. A.G. Sumaila, Director, Transport School, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NIIT), Zaria, Nigeria.

Kolawole Ojelabi
External Relations Specialist
Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority
234-1-790-5343, 0803-855-6452 or 2702778-82 Ext. 120