Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Sola Giwa, has disclosed that Lagos residents lose an estimated N1 trillion every year due to productivity lost in traffic gridlock, with commuters spending an average of six hours daily on the road.
Giwa made this known on Tuesday during the flag-off of the Second Lagos Traffic Conference at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, organised as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). “We must address this staggering economic loss,” Giwa said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, officially declared the three-day conference open under the theme “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations.”
The event drew transportation experts, policymakers, urban planners, academics, and international partners to discuss sustainable solutions.
Giwa also noted that, through LASTMA’s interventions, the state has recovered at least N4 billion in productivity previously lost to congestion.
A major highlight of the conference was the unveiling of the Lagos State 20-Year Strategic Traffic Management Policy by LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
The policy sets out a visionary plan to restructure the state’s transportation framework, boost infrastructural efficiency, tighten enforcement, and integrate smart mobility technologies.
“This roadmap is our commitment to a safer, faster, and more efficient Lagos,” Bakare-Oki said.
