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In a bid to improve on travel time within the metropolis, the Lagos State government yesterday formalised the Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) synergy on traffic management, saying that the collaboration would enable commuters to take informed decision while moving in the state.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosos, who disclosed this, said that the initiative was a well-thought-out intervention by the state government to tackle the menace of traffic congestion.
Speaking at the maiden Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), engagement forum, with the theme: “Repositioning of Traffic Information Agencies for Better Performance”, Omotoso said tht the occasion presented a potent avenue for capacity building for the two prime agencies.
The Commissioner added that the agency had also helped in reforming drivers through strict application of the road traffic law and promptly dealing with crashes in the ever-busy roads in Africa’s largest economy.
“Lagos Traffic Radio is a child of necessity. Its flamboyant entry into the transport sector almost 10 years ago, was borne out of the need to provide the much-needed information that will help commuters plan their journeys in a bid to improve travel time across the city. And this, LTR96.1FM has done in an ornate fashion, providing life-saving traffic updates to teeming Lagosians, helping modify behavioral patterns of motorists through its very robust content and serving as an impeccable channel of feedback for government policies and programmes,” Omotoso said.
According to him, the event was a potent avenue for capacity building for the two prime agencies, describing the collaboration as very significant because the engagement provides a potent platform for the two organisations to synergize, strategise and build on your hitherto work relationship, which has delivered a laudable impact in the management of traffic challenges.
He further stressed that since the advent of LASTMA on the transportation scene, traffic management had gone a notch higher, reducing build-ups, which used to stretch several miles in the metropolis.
Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner of Transportation, Frederic Oladehinde, described the role of both agencies as life-saving, not only to residents of the state, but also motorists plying the various roads and highways across the metropolis.
Represented by the Director of Transportation in the Ministry, Azeeez Toriola, the commissioner said the present administration will not rest on its oars until road users enjoy free flow of traffic movement and this is evident in the various investments in transport infrastructure in the state.
In his welcome address, General Manager, Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM, Tayo Akanle, said the event was unique because it was the first time such an official engagement would be held between the two agencies, despite the cordial relationship which started 10 years ago.
He said, arguably, both agencies formed one of the strongest partnerships in the Lagos State Public Service as at today.
