TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: LASTMA HOSTS SIERRA LEONE AN TRANSPORT OFFICIALS

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: LASTMA HOSTS  SIERRA LEONE AN TRANSPORT OFFICIALS

... Educates them on the legal framework and operational guidelines of Lastma. 

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), over the weekend, hosted the Sierra Leonean Transport Officials on effective and efficient traffic management in Lagos.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, while welcoming the Sierra Leonean Traffic Officials to his office at Oshodi, disclosed that the main purpose for the establishment of the Agency in the year 2000 by the then administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was to transform the State transportation system and to ensure free flow of traffic and reduction in road accident across the State.

Mr. Oreagba disclosed further that to properly manage and control traffic in Lagos, the Agency operates an efficient operational guideline which comprises seven Comptrollers that cover the three Senatorial Districts of the State, 21 Commanders and 45 Zonal Heads including BRT (1 & 2) as well as the Free Trade Zone.

He stated that all working ethics of the Authority, including all its operations, are being regulated by the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 as reviewed.

General Manager confirmed that the Government is currently adopting modern technology innovations in addressing transportation challenges by installing Automatic Number Plates Recognition (ANPR) Camera which captures images of vehicle license plates on roads, CCTV Cameras, and also equipping traffic officers with the newly introduced hand-held Traffic Management Solution (TMS) Device which captures real-time traffic violations on the roads, in addition to signalised intersection and junction improvement.

L-R. General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Bolaji Oreagba with Mr. Hindolo Shiaka the Director, Ministry of Transportation and Aviation of Sierra Leone during visit.

He added that the Lagos State Government also established Mobile Court to adjudicate on traffic-related matters since the Agency cannot be a judge in its case against offenders.

Mr. Oreagba averred that some of the traffic offences refer to the Lagos Mobile Court by the Agency include obstructions, driving against traffic 'one-way', illegal parking, illegal U-turn, dropping/picking passengers at the undesignated bus- stops, disobeying traffic lights/officials, reckless driving and illegal parking on walkways/kerbs among others.

He stressed that the Agency collaborates with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) by sanitising the BRT corridors for the motoring public to pave the way for the smooth movement of commuters from one designation to another across the State.

During his address, the Director of, the Ministry of Transportation and Aviation of Sierra Leone and leader of the team, Mr. Hindolo Shiaka thanked Mr. Bolaji Oreagba for the detailed presentation of the Agency's operational guidelines and legal framework in line with dictates of effective traffic management and control.

Mr. Shiaka equally appreciated the Lagos State Government for the establishment of the Lagos State Mobile Courts which ensure fair hearing and Justice for motorists.

According to him "We came here from our County (Sierra Leone) to understudy the operational guidelines including Legal framework of LASTMA in line with traffic management and control to improve/upgrade our transportation system"

Mr. Shiaka however promised to strengthen the cordial relationship between LASTMA and the Sierra Leone Ministry of Transportation and Aviation.

Adebayo Taofiq

Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA