When the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority was created by a State Act (LAMATA Law) signed into law on January 13, 2002 by the then Governor of the State, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, It was conceptualized as by the Lagos State Government to be the agency responsible for planning, implementing, regulating and franchising public transport infrastructure and operations.
LAMATA was tasked with the responsibility of birthing an intermodal integrated transport system for Lagos and in it’s innovative move to minimise traffic congestion and to enable efficient BRT operations, LAMATA as part of it’s solutions decided to introduce the first ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) for the bus operator PRIMERO. LAMATA implemented a central solution for the integrated planning and scheduling of all its resources to actualize an integrated transportation network that involved rail, road and ferry services for the mass transit system in Lagos.
The first set of management structures was led by Engr. Dayo Mobereola who pioneered the young organisation from 2003 till when he rose to become Commissioner For Transportation and subsequently retired.
It recently organized an occasion to celebrate 20 years of the organization’s existence, “Marking two decades of progress”, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), commemorated its 20th anniversary with a series of events, including the launch of its Compendium entitled “Second decade of transforming transport 2013-2023” and a celebratory gala night, held on Thursday, 7th December 2023.
It was attended by large number of staff cladded in blue adire aso ebi (Yoruba Uniform which the Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu and his Deputy, Dr Kadiri Hamzat wore as well) there were also a number of previous management staff of the organisation, contractors, head of Chinese consul in Lagos and some of LAMATA’s MD, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo’s classmates at Unilag among which were Engr. Bola Babarinde a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, South Africa Chapter and Engr. Ayotunde Ayodeji to lend support.
During the MD, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo’s speech, she acknowledged the works of her predecessors and especially the Pioneer staff, appreciated support she had been getting from her Commissioner and especially the Governor which enabled her to achieve the progress and advancement recorded in her tenure thus far.
The Managing Director LAMATA, Engr. Mrs Abimbola Akinajo while delivering a heartfelt address expressed profound gratitude to the Governor for his unwavering support and commitment to improving transportation in Lagos State, She acknowledged the works of her predecessors and especially the pioneer staff, She then turned her attention to LAMATA’S dedicated staff urging them to leave an indelible mark on the transport industry in the next two decades and congratulated them for their dedication, passion and support given to her so far.
In his speech highlighting Lagos’ innovative transportation system, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu shared a nostalgic anecdote about his trip to Bogota, where the BRT system was studied. He further commended LAMATA for its meticulous planning and successful implementation of the state’s integrated, multimodal transport system.
The Governor cladded in LAMATA Aso Ebi spoke greatly about President Tinubu vision of a new Lagos while he was governor of Lagos State, the solid foundation he laid which brought the celebration of the day as narrated by how involved he was with the project of BRT from inception and amount of efforts they put to start the project while he was Special Assistant to Deputy Governor, Pedro at the time.
He also said that he was proud of all the previous management staff of the agency and most especially spoke glowingly of the current MD, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo and how her resilience brought about commissioning of the blue line, he then promised to continue to support the agency through his remaining tenure in office for other lines will be commissioned during his administration.
The LAMATA 10Years compendium (2013-2023) was unveiled by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, assisted by his Deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Commisioner For Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, MD of LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola, Chinese Consul General in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuging and others.
The guests were treated with melodious music and sumptuous dishes synonymous with the excellence service that Lagos State and it’s agencies have entrenched in it’s system.
By Akinkunmi Bello
