The Lagos State Government has renewed its commitment to sustainable transportation, rallying stakeholders to support the EcoMove Lagos initiative, aimed at fostering greener urban mobility.
At the forefront of this movement, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, called for collective action to implement environmentally conscious practices in the transport sector.
The EcoMove Lagos initiative, he noted, aligns with key eco-friendly projects, including the Blue Line Rail and the upcoming deployment of 50 to 100 electric buses, as well as 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.
These projects, under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), are set to enhance the adoption of cleaner and more sustainable public transportation options across the state.
Osiyemi emphasized that expanding public transport usage would not only reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads, but also cut down carbon emissions and alleviate traffic congestion, contributing to better urban mobility and a healthier environment.
In a powerful call to action, the convener of the initiative, Hon. Toyin Aremu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, urged Lagosians to responsibly utilize the state’s public transport infrastructure.
Aremu stressed that reducing the reliance on private vehicles would be key to lowering emissions and improving public health.
He stated, “We must prioritize public transportation and discourage excessive car ownership. Every additional vehicle on the road adds to air pollution and affects our well-being. A cleaner, greener Lagos in 2030 is within our reach, but it requires our collective effort today.”
The event also featured remarks from Ekiti State’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kolawole Ajobiewe, who praised the EcoMove initiative for its people-centered approach and emphasized the need for eco-friendly transport systems to combat pollution-related health risks.
Professor Iyiola Oni, in his keynote address on “Connecting Communities and Reducing Emissions,” stressed the urgent need for sustainable urban mobility solutions, particularly for a city like Lagos, home to over 25 million residents.
He highlighted the pivotal role of public transport in reducing emissions and promoting social equity.
Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), also delivered an important address, underscoring the health hazards posed by carbon emissions. Dr. Ajayi shared that LASEPA has installed 50 carbon monitoring stations across the city to track emissions, revealing a concerning rise in health-related issues linked to pollution.
He urged both private motorists and commercial vehicle operators to adopt carbon cleaning services to reduce emissions, emphasizing that the goal is a greener Lagos with cleaner air.
The EcoMove Lagos Conference served as a key moment for stakeholders to unite in reimagining a future where transportation not only enhances mobility but also promotes environmental health and social equity.
