Yuletide gridlock: LASTMA rolls out full traffic control plan across Lagos
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced a comprehensive traffic management and enforcement strategy to ease congestion and ensure free vehicular movement across the state during the yuletide season.
In a statement issued at the weekend, the agency said the measures were activated ahead of the annual end-of-year festivities, popularly known as “Detty December,” which usually come with heavy traffic due to concerts, carnivals, religious programmes and other social events.
Lagos often experiences severe traffic congestion during the festive period, a development that disrupts daily activities and results in significant economic losses for residents and businesses.
To address this, LASTMA said it has stepped up its operational readiness across the metropolis.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the agency had deployed experienced traffic officers to major roads, commercial hubs and event-prone areas to manage the anticipated surge in vehicular movement.
Bakare-Oki said: “The festive season is typically marked by increased traffic arising from concerts, carnivals, religious programmes and other end-of-year activities.
“We have intensified our presence with enhanced surveillance, round-the-clock monitoring and rapid response teams to ensure smooth traffic flow.”
He urged owners and operators of event centres, clubs, lounges and entertainment facilities to make adequate internal traffic and parking arrangements for their patrons, warning that vehicles spilling onto public roads would attract firm enforcement.
Bakare-Oki also cautioned market leaders, traders’ associations and commercial operators against the illegal display of goods on roads, walkways and pedestrian paths, noting that such practices worsen congestion and pose safety risks to pedestrians.
The traffic agency advised motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good mechanical condition before travelling and warned against drunk driving, speeding and other forms of reckless behaviour during the festive period.
LASTMA said its enforcement teams would remain vigilant in enforcing laws on illegal parking, road obstruction, speeding and impaired driving throughout the yuletide season and beyond.
As part of the traffic control plan, the agency disclosed that high-, medium- and low-capacity tow trucks had been strategically positioned across the state, particularly along the Lekki–Ajah corridor, to respond quickly to vehicle breakdowns and emergencies.
It also announced the activation of its 24-hour “Night Gang Duty” to monitor and regulate vehicular movement before, during and after the festive celebrations.
The agency appealed to road users to cooperate with traffic officers, obey traffic regulations and exercise patience, stressing that collective compliance is essential for a safe and hitch-free yuletide season.
Members of the public were encouraged to report traffic emergencies through LASTMA’s toll-free hotline, 0800-005-27862.