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By Moses Akaigwe
Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has launched a series of interventions aimed at promoting the health, safety, and sustainability of truck operators in Lagos State.
The initiatives include free eye screening, substance abuse sensitization, and drug testing programmes, as well as access to CNG trucks for operators in partnership with the United Bank of Africa (UBA).
Speaking at the maiden edition of the stakeholders’ engagement in Agidingbi, Ikeja, the governor who was represented by the Special Adviser on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, stated that the engagement was designed to promote safety, welfare, and sustainability within the haulage and freight ecosystem.
He noted that the forum provides an essential platform for government, regulators, unions, and private operators to address sectoral challenges, strengthen compliance, and collectively shape the future of maritime logistics.
The governor urged truck operators to take advantage of the partnership with UBA to acquire brand new CNG trucks through well-structured credit facilities, emphasizing the importance of safety and environmental responsibility.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, stated that these new initiatives reflect the administration’s commitment to improving truck operators’ welfare and reducing avoidable accidents.
He described the CNG transition as “a bold step toward a greener future,” reinforcing the state government’s resolve to pursue sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa highlighted the focus areas of the engagement, including safety, sustainability, partnership, collaboration, and truckers’ welfare, acknowledging the challenges faced by truck drivers.
The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, implored stakeholders to embrace the intervention, lest their business face obsolescence, adding that the initiative will correct prevailing deficiencies in the maritime logistics industry.
In his goodwill message, the National President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, applauded the Lagos State Government for the initiative and assured the commitment of operators to leverage the opportunities provided to enhance economic contribution while supporting the transition to CNG for a cleaner environment.
The Regional Manager of the United Bank for Africa, Mr. Ernest Omoreghe, reaffirmed the bank’s readiness to partner with the State Government and NARTO through a ₦150 billion financing window, to be disbursed in three phases, enabling operators to renew their fleets with modern, safer and climate-friendly vehicles.
Notable stakeholders’ present at the engagement which was initiated by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Logistics, Hon. Hassan Adekoya included: the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa; representative of the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd); representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police; representatives of the Association of Maritime and Truck Owners (AMATO); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education and Innovation, Mr. Tobi Idowu; and representatives of Sinotruk, among others.
