By Idowu Addison
The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has commenced the development of a comprehensive freight policy and regulatory framework to improve the movement of goods into, out of and within the state.
In this regard, the state government has commenced stakeholder meetings to gather inputs from various freight forwarding groups towards developing a robust policy for regulating the movement of goods.
In a letter to the Nigerian Association of Airfreight Forwarders and Consolidators, an official of LAMATA, Mr. Monsuru Odumosu, said the invitation extended to freight forwarders was aimed at ensuring that the proposed policy is practical, inclusive and implementable.
Part of the letter reads:”Lagos State through LAMATA is currently developing a comprehensive Freight Policy and Regulatory Framework aimed at enhancing the movement of goods into, out of, and within Lagos State.
“To ensure that the proposed policy is practical, inclusive, and implementable, we are inviting key freight sector unions and associations to participate in this stakeholder engagement scheduled for Friday, 7 August 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Hall, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos.
“The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the operational challenges affecting freight transport, identify practical policy and regulatory solutions, and define the role of freight unions and associations in promoting safety, efficiency, compliance, and sustainable freight operations across the State. Given the strategic importance of this engagement, we kindly request your organization to nominate two (2) executive-level representatives to participate in the session.”
Reacting to the development, the Head of Research and Technical of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Mr. Adeshina Ajibola, said Lagos State was merely trying to catch up with other states that had already introduced measures to regulate truck movements.
He cited Ogun State, where truck movements are restricted until 4 p.m. daily, adding that Abia State under Governor Alex Otti, as well as Imo and Anambra states, have similarly introduced policies regulating truck movements within their respective jurisdictions.
He explained that AMATO was aware of the development and was currently formulating its position ahead of the stakeholders’ m
eeting.
