Traffic management: Stakeholders convene on information intelligence, as LASG warns against attacks on officials
By Moses Adeniyi
Traffic stakeholders convened in Lagos on Tuesday discussing modalities to review communication mechanisms to improve on traffic management in the State through better information system.
The stakeholders who gathered at the maiden edition of the Engagement Forum between key Personnel/On-Air-Personalities (O.A.Ps) of Lagos Traffic Radio (96.1FM) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) convened to deliberate on way forward to vitalise the system of traffic management in the State with robust interconnectivity of intelligence in disseminating information for better service delivery.
In his keynote address at the forum, convened at the State Capital, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, described the engagement as “a potent avenue for capacity building for the two prime agencies.”
According to him, the engagement could be observed as significant “as a potent platform for the two organisations to synergise, strategise and build on hitherto formidable work relationship which has delivered laudable impact in the management of traffic challenges.”
Describing the engagement as one which is timely, he said it was a “well-thought move, geared towards adding value to Lagosians through improved service delivery.”
“It cannot be more apt as it coincides with the time when Lagos Traffic Radio is about celebrating a decade of excellence in the broadcast space,” Omotoso said.
He commended the leadership of both Agencies and their teams for what he described as “achievements thus far and for the vision and foresight in organising” the event.
Acknowledging the role of both Agencies as critical stakeholders, Omotoso boasted that the fact that Lagos is not enlisted on the Global Traffic Scorecard among the top most congested cities of the world, testifies that “the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration is not joking with traffic management.”
This is just as the State Government has warned attackers of traffic officers to desist from the despicable act, as the State Government would no longer condone the bellicose act.
Omotoso who made a case against the trend at the forum also cautioned LASTMA officials to represent the Government in good light, while doing away with high-handedness in enforcing law and order.
“I am, particularly, elated to have LASTMA participate in this engagement because of the plethora of complaints from the public about the modes of its operation.
“It is now common place to find motorists throwing verbal assaults at the government on what they perceive as an attempt to generate revenue through a flimsy application of the Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.
“Some of your officers have been found applying these laws harshly, sometimes forgetting your statutory mandate of helping to manage the traffic.
“While the Government will not support any attempt by the public to break the law on account of ignorance or recognition, we are all public relations officers, our attitude to motorists is seen as a reflection of our administration’s attitude to Lagosians and visitors,” the Commissioner submitted.
He assured the stakeholders that the Government “will always support your drive to further improve your service to Lagosians,” maintaining that the Government will not “tolerate attempt to humiliate or attack any traffic officer.”
“Those who indulge in this primitive act should desist from so doing or be ready to face the law. We will continue to prosecute them,” the Commissioner said.
In his goodwill message, the Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Kamar Olowosanjo, commended the entire Management of both Agencies, for what he described as “very laudable initiative where issues relating to effective traffic management in the State could be exhaustively examined and relevant issues duly identified, distilled and refocused.”
“The theme of the engagement ‘Repositioning of Traffic Information Agencies for Better Performances’, cannot, therefore, be more appropriate.
“Road Transportation, as we all know, is the most commonly used form of transportation in the world. And the importance of a forum such as this is further underscored by the status of Lagos as a mega City and one of the fastest growing Cities in the world.
“Therefore, engagement fora such as this one, I believe, would offer various stakeholders in transportation sector the opportunity to come up with different workable ideas that would be beneficial to Traffic Information Agencies in the State,” Muri-Okunola observed.
Calling for collective support, Muri-Okunola, said: “Lagos is a collective responsibility, therefore, we should not leave everything to Government alone as each and every one has a vital role to play in ensuring that we have safe and secure road transportation system across the State.”
Addressing the stakeholders, the General Manager, Lagos Traffic Radio, Mr. Tayo Akanle, said the objectives of the engagement themed “Repositioning of Traffic Information Agencies for better Performance” include the dire need to interrogate the process of disseminating traffic information; to come up with practicable solutions to challenges therein; “and ultimately improve the service delivery while adding value to motorists/commuters in Lagos.”
According to him, it is expected that the implementation of the outcomes of the engagement “would not only contribute to achieving the Greater Lagos vision of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration but also that of Traffic Management and Transportation pillar of the T.H.EM.E. S Agenda.”
“Today’s event is unique because it is the first time such an official engagement will be holding between the two Agencies despite the cordial relationship which started 10 years ago. Arguably, both agencies form one of the strongest partnerships in the Lagos State Public Service as at today.
“Solving problems within the ambit of the transport sector is common between the Agencies and we shall continue to push with determination and vigor,” the General Manager said.
He urged all the participants to utilise the avenue to express themselves on innovative ways of improving service delivery.
“The leadership of both Agencies will do all that is necessary to encourage all members of these teams to achieve the best in terms of service delivery,” Akanle assured.
In his remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Bolaji Oreagba, said the concerned Agencies are partners “in the efforts to continually move Lagos Traffic forward, especially in fulfilling the first pillar of the Governor Sanwo-Olu led Administration’s policy thrust, christened “Traffic Management and Transportation” of the THEMES Agenda.
“This we promise, we shall fulfill to the best of our ability in conjunction with the other sister government agencies involved in moving Lagos traffic forward,” he assured.
Oreagba who was represented by the Director of Operation, LASTMA, Mr. Peter Gbejemede, submitted that efforts should be geared towards sustained enlightenment and advocacy forr voluntary compliance to the traffic rules and regulations by road users as enshrined in the Lagos State Transport Reform Law of 2018.
“We will ensure civility in enforcement but crave the support, cooperation and understanding from the public,” he said.
At the forum, outstanding officers of both Agencies were presented with awards for their performance.
