Lagos Government Partners with UBA to Modernize Trucking Sector, Boost Safety and Efficiency

Lagos Government Partners with UBA to Modernize Trucking Sector, Boost Safety and Efficiency

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a comprehensive set of interventions aimed at improving the health, safety and sustainability of truck operators, while strengthening the maritime logistics ecosystem in the state.

The initiatives — which include free eye screening with medication and eyeglasses, substance abuse sensitization and drug testing, as well as access to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks through structured financing — were launched at the maiden Maritime Logistics Stakeholders’ Forum held in Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The Governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, said the engagement was designed to promote safety, welfare and long-term sustainability within the haulage and freight sector. He described the forum as a critical platform for government, regulators, unions and private operators to collectively address challenges, improve compliance and chart a new future for maritime logistics in Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu urged truck operators to take advantage of the partnership between the Lagos State Government, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the United Bank of Africa (UBA) to acquire brand new CNG-powered trucks through well-structured credit facilities. He stressed that the programme was not a handout but a strategic investment aimed at reducing accidents, cutting emissions and improving operational efficiency.

In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the initiatives reflect the administration’s commitment to truckers’ welfare and public safety. He described the transition to CNG trucks as “a bold step toward a greener future,” noting that it aligns with the state’s environmental sustainability agenda.

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, also disclosed that the State Government would strengthen regulation of the electronic call-up system to eliminate indiscriminate parking and end prolonged traffic congestion along port corridors. According to him, improved enforcement of the call-up system will ensure seamless truck movement and enhance efficiency within the logistics chain.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, highlighted key focus areas of the engagement, including safety, sustainability, partnership, collaboration and truckers’ welfare, while acknowledging the operational and health challenges faced by drivers in the sector.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, urged stakeholders to fully embrace the initiative, warning that resistance to innovation could render businesses obsolete. He said the intervention would help address long-standing deficiencies in the maritime logistics value chain.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Logistics, Comrade Hassan Adekoya, declared that the era of rickety and unsafe trucks on Lagos roads was over. He said the Lagos State Government is committed to allowing only CNG-powered trucks on its roads in order to promote a safer environment and prevent the loss of lives and property.

In his goodwill message, the National President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, commended the Lagos State Government for the initiative and assured operators of their readiness to leverage the opportunities to improve productivity, enhance safety and support the transition to cleaner energy.

Also speaking, the Regional Manager of UBA, Mr. Ernest Omoreghe, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the partnership, announcing a ₦150 billion financing window to be disbursed in three phases. He said the facility would enable operators to renew their fleets with modern, safer and climate-friendly CNG trucks, adding that the investment is designed to be transparent, sustainable and commercially viable.

Earlier, representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, emphasised the importance of drug screening and substance abuse control among truck drivers, describing it as a critical step toward reducing accidents and improving road safety. They pledged continued collaboration with the state government and other stakeholders on advocacy and enforcement.

Other notable stakeholders present at the forum, which was initiated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Logistics, Comrade Hassan Adekoya, included the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa; representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) , 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.

The Lagos State Government said the combined interventions are expected to enhance safety, boost economic productivity, support environmental goals and reinforce Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s logistics and commercial backbone.