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.Proffer solutions to Lagos traffic gridlock

By Adesina Wahab

Experts in the transportation sector have faulted the non-signing of the Transport Commission Bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the nation needs it to get over the challenges militating against the sector.

They spoke in Lagos on Thursday at a day meeting of the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain – Africa, CARISCA.

The event, which was in collaboration with the Lagos State University and Lagos Business School, was supported by the United States Agency for International Development, the Arizona State University and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Speaking on the overview of CARISCA, Prof. Adegoke Oke, said it focuses on research, curriculum development, stakeholders engagement and promoting access and inclusiveness.

Oke added that the group has been making positive impact on the continent and lauded the support given it by USAID and others.

Making a presentation on “City logistics and Last Mile Delivery in Lagos,” Prof. Gbadebo Odewuni of LASU School of Transport noted that despite Lagos having an ariport, sea port and railways, “it is more highway centric and Last Mile Delivery in Lagos is one of the most expensive in the world”.

He listed the factors responsible to include the packages being in small sizes, warehousing and vehicle maintenance, delivery failures, mistaken address among others.

He also stated that the gridlock in most parts of the city could be traced to the fact that federal, state, local government and unions are governing a single space.

“To make Last Mile Delivery and logistics better, there should be a transport policy, there should be a stop to policy somersault, let professionals be involved in running the system and deploy technology.

“Crowd sourcing , use of delivery robots, drones, automation and the development of cable in places like Ikoyi, Victoria Island can help. Also, there should be a Road Transport Commission to regulate a lot of things, including the operations of okada riders,” he added.

The Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Dr Fredrick Oladeinde, in his message, said the state government is constantly looking for ways to make movement in and around the state better every day.

The Dean, LASU School of Transport, Prof. Charles Asenime, also delivered a paper on “Transportation planning, policy and regulations,” while Tonye Preghafi of Red Star Express Plc spoke on “Technology in the FMCG,” among others.

Participants were drawn from logistics companies, transport firms and regulators in the sector.