The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has intensified efforts to transform freight movement across Lagos with the successful conclusion of the fifth and final stakeholder engagement on the development of the Lagos Freight Policy and Regulatory Framework.
Held under the theme, “Smart Freight for a Thriving Lagos,” the session brought together leaders and representatives of market associations, wholesale and retail commodity groups and logistics operators to provide practical insights into the challenges confronting the movement and distribution of goods across the State.
The engagement, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented in collaboration with technical consultants, Innovative Transport Solutions (ITS) and FAOCON, represents another important milestone in LAMATA’s drive to establish a more efficient, predictable and cost-effective freight system for Lagos.
It also builds on a series of stakeholder engagements convened by LAMATA throughout the policy development process. Earlier sessions brought together key stakeholders across the freight and logistics value chain, including government agencies, transport operators, business interests and other industry players, enabling the Authority to gather evidence and practical perspectives on the challenges affecting freight movement in the State.
The fifth session provided an opportunity to deepen that consultation by placing market operators and commodity groups at the centre of discussions. This was considered particularly important because markets serve as critical links between 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 the efficiency of freight movement had a direct bearing on the cost and availability of goods in Lagos.
“Every day, large volumes of food, agricultural produce, clothing, electronics and automotive parts move from ports, farms and factories into markets across Lagos. The efficiency of these movements directly impacts businesses, traders and ultimately, consumer prices,” he said.
According to him, congestion, delays in last-mile deliveries, difficult access to markets, inadequate loading and unloading facilities and parking constraints continue to increase logistics costs and, in some cases, contribute to product spoilage.
He explained that the emerging Freight Policy would seek to tackle these challenges through clear, safe and reliable guidelines for freight operations while creating an environment capable of attracting investment into logistics infrastructure and services.
The interactive session, moderated by Dr. Alban Igwe, provided an opportunity for participants to discuss practical solutions to some of the most persistent supply chain challenges in major commercial centres, including Mile 12, Oshodi, Balogun, Alaba International, Computer Village and Ladipo Auto Market.
Discussions focused on last-mile access, loading and unloading arrangements, inventory storage, parking and the need to reduce disruptions that can affect the timely delivery of goods.
The engagement underscored the importance of ensuring that the policy is not developed in isolation but reflects the realities of those who move, receive, store and sell goods every day.
The conclusion of the consultation process marks a significant step towards finalising a comprehensive freight policy framework that will be anchored on data, technology, multimodal integration and public-private collaboration.
For LAMATA, the objective is clear: to build a freight system in which goods can move safely, efficiently and reliably from ports, production centres and distribution hubs to markets and consumers, while reducing avoidable costs and disruptions.
With the inputs gathered from the successive stakeholder engagements now feeding into the policy development process, Lagos is positioning itself for a smarter and more coordinated freight system—one capable of supporting commerce, strengthening supply chains, reducing logistics pressures and ultimately contributing to a more competitive and prosperous State.
The partnership with AFD and the technical support of ITS and FAOCON further reinforces LAMATA’s commitment to developing a freight policy that is evidence-based, inclusive and responsive to the needs of Lagos’s rapidly growing economy.
