- Attackers of LASTMA Officials Will Face Full Prosecution — Sanwo Olu
- Sanwo Olu paid tribute to LASTMA officers who lost their lives in the line of duty
- Opeifa expressed sorrow over the loss of officers who died while serving
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu has stated that anyone who attacks officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority will face full legal consequences.
Eko Hot Blog reports that speaking through his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Governor made this declaration during the second Lagos Traffic Conference held on Tuesday to mark LASTMA’s 25th anniversary.
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The event was themed “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,” he said.
Governor Sanwo Olu also paid tribute to the many courageous LASTMA officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
He stated that the future of LASTMA lies in becoming a technologically advanced agency capable of addressing the complex demands of modern urban mobility.
The Governor announced plans to invest in intelligent transportation systems driven by Artificial Intelligence, automated number plate recognition, and drone surveillance to improve traffic control and emergency response.
In his keynote address, Mr Sridhar Uttara, President of Infotran, a U.S. based engineering consulting firm, encouraged Lagos to establish a Unified Mobility Control Centre and prioritize the expansion of its Information Technology System along key traffic corridors.
“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 intended for grand speeches or academic discussions, but rather focused on finding practical 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 uniform 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.
In his goodwill message, Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, stated that LASTMA stands out because it applies local solutions to global challenges.
According to him, LASTMA represents a landmark achievement in public policy in Nigeria, created to strike a balance between enforcement and public dignity.
He also expressed sorrow over the loss of officers who died while serving.
“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.
