•Bus Rapid Transport Photo: Sun News Publishing

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The Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has commended Ecobank for its financing support to the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) Scheme.

Dr Mobereola, who spoke during the launch of the scheme in Lagos last week, described Ecobank‘s support as a perfect example of Public Private Sector collaboration, which according to him should be emulated by other corporate bodies in the country.

The LAMATA boss noted that the private sector stands to gain immensely from funding public transportation activities. He assured that government will on its part continue to provide the needed infrastructure that will make transportation easy and affordable.

Also speaking, the Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola acknowledged the role of the private sector at engendering easy transportation for the citizenry. He observed that investing on the private sector, is one opportunity that any wise investor should not let go of. He commended the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for its purchase of 100 buses, through a financing scheme by Ecobank, saying that it signifies the beginning of a new partnership for the upliftment of the transport sector in Lagos State.

In his own speech, the National President of NURTW, Hamman Gidado said the Union was dedicated to the cause of solving transportation problems in the country. He emphasized that its partnership with Ecobank stems from a strong believe by both parties that the problem of transportation in Lagos State is surmountable. Mr. Gidado thank the bank for its support, and pledged the union’s commitment to ensuring smooth operations of the BRT scheme.

Speaking to the media shortly after the launch, Ecobank’s Executive Director, Mr. Henry Nelson, maintained that the bank is challenged to contribute substantially to the growth of the Nigerian economy. For him, Ecobank believes it can support Governor Fashola’s government initiative at providing convenient transportation system for a larger mass of the people through the financing schemes, as the BRT scheme will go a long way in ameliorating the transport stress associated with life in Lagos.
He reiterated that Ecobank mission as a provider of economic freedom for the African continent is the key driver for the bank’s mission in Nigeria; hence it has continued to build scale through increased branch network and market share.

It would be recalled that Ecobank had earlier handed over 150 units of eighteen sitter buses to members of the NURTW at the commencement of its financing of bus acquisition for the union members. The buses were the first batch of 200 units whose importation is being financed by the bank at a cost in excess of one billion naira.

The colourful event was graced by several dignitaries, including the former governor of the state, Bola Tinubu in whose tenure the BRT scheme was initiated.