The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says attackers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officers will face the full wrath of the law.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, made this known at the second Lagos Traffic Conference in commemoration of LASTMA’s Silver Jubilee celebration on Tuesday.
The anniversary had the theme: ”Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations.
“I want to specially recognise the men and women of LASTMA who have dedicated themselves, often under challenging and sometimes perilous circumstances, to the critical task of keeping Lagos moving.
“Your uniform represents the thin yellow line that stands firmly between order and chaos on our roads.
“Your commitment, resilience, and professionalism have been instrumental in transforming Lagos traffic management and ensuring the safety of millions of commuters every day. Thank you for your unwavering service and dedication,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Sanwo-Olu also appreciated the many brave officers who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the LASTMA of the future would be a technologically advanced agency capable of addressing the difficult challenges of 21st-century urban transportation.
Sanwo-Olu also stated that the government will invest in advanced transport systems powered by artificial intelligence, automated number plate recognition, and drone monitoring to improve traffic management and incident response.
In his keynote lecture, Mr Sridhar Uttara, President of Infotran, a US engineering consultancy firm, advised Lagos to construct a Unified Mobility Control Centre and extend its Information Technology System on priority lanes.
“There is also the need to train traffic officers in AI and data tools, invest in smart mobility labs and pilot zones, ensure equity and safety in all projects and invest in research and development,” Uttara said.
The Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, stated that the celebration was not for lofty literates but for solutions.
“Officers of LASTMA are on the streets of the state, not only to clear bottlenecks but also to save lives during accidents, coordinate disaster response and facilitate seamless movement of goods and services.
“LASTMA is not bound to all hurdles before them, which include inadequate growth capacity in the face of urban population growth, driver indiscipline, which remains a key trigger of accidents and congestion, and the consistent right of way among commercial transport operators.
“The most concerning is public apathy towards uniformed traffic personnel. These are structural, behavioural and systemic challenges.
“While they are not insurmountable, we still have opportunities, and they are also ongoing interventions under the forward-looking leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“We have made significant strides,” he said.
Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, stated in his goodwill message that LASTMA is unique in that it provides local solutions to international concerns.
According to Opeifa, LASTMA is still the pinnacle of Nigerian public policy; it is intended to strike a balance between enforcement and public pride.
Opeifa lamented the deaths of some officers in the course of duty.
“I know some of the dead officers shown; this is when they were trying to make Apapa safe.
“That is the nature of what LASTMA is; you need to see these men work, suffering just to keep Lagos moving; they should be appreciated,” Opeifa said.
