Stakeholders have stressed the need for Africa to prioritise sustainable urban transit systems as part of efforts to strengthen the transportation sector.

Making the appeal in their papers presented at the opening session of the Second General Assembly of the African Association of Urban Mobility Authorities (AUMA), yesterday, in Lagos, the experts listed exchange of knowledge and experiences, planning, coordination, regulation, management and financing of urban transport systems as among the solutions crucial to achieving sustainable urban transportation systems.

The event, which was co-hosted by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), in collaboration with Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP), had speakers and participants across the continent, citing cogent reasons why the government must take concrete measures to improve urban transportation.

They noted that rapid urbanisation and population growth, as well as inadequate transport infrastructure, were among the challenges the continent faces.

In her speech, LAMATA Managing Director, Abimbola Akinajo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to an improved urban transportation system, stating that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration was investing massively in mass transit to resolve climate change and congestion.

On the transition to zero-emission bus system, she charged Africa to fully understand the system before embracing electric buses.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his address, said the initiative aligned with the state’s transportation development agenda, stressing: “It recognises the need to develop a modern, efficient and reliable transportation system as a key strategy to serve the mobility needs of a fast growing population, and also accelerate economic growth and development.”

Represented by his Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the governor added: “Worldwide, transportation is one of the main contributors to climate change. In Lagos, we have witnessed rising sea levels and more extreme storms, which has led to more storm surge and flooding.”

Representative of Johannesburg Metropolitan Council, Dorothy Mabuza, canvassed massive investment in the sector.

She said the South African government was committed to ensuring a smart city through transitioning to green technology.

Co-Lead at SSATP, Simon Saddier, harped on developing a robust institutional framework to tackle urban mobility crisis.