Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (MoT), the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to officially commence the Bus Industry Transition Programme (BITP).

The MoU was signed yesterday at a ceremony attended by key stakeholders in the transportation sector, marking a significant milestone in the state government’s efforts to modernise and improve public transportation across Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olawale Musa, described the programme as a legacy initiative designed to align both the formal and informal transport sectors.

He said that the programme would transform public commuting in the state through a gradual implementation process, while calling on transport unions to actively collaborate, participate in, and support the initiative.

According to him, the ultimate objective of the programme is to make daily commuting easier, safer, and more efficient for Lagos residents.

Also speaking, Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, stated that the BITP is an initiative aimed at modernising and formalising Lagos informal public transport sector by integrating traditional transport operators into a structured and regulated transport system.

She, therefore, urged members of the transport unions to embrace the initiative and fully key into the programme to foster a more efficient and sustainable transportation system across the state.

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

They pledged the full support of their respective unions and assured the Lagos State government of their commitment to ensuring smooth implementation and success of the initiative.