…as Lagos Traffic Radio, LASTMA hold maiden engagement forum
…awards presented to outstanding programmes dept staff
By Benjamin Omoike
Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, has stated that the establishment of Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), is a well-thought-out intervention by the state government to tackle the menace of traffic congestion.
Omotoso made the remarks in his keynote address on Tuesday 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’, which held at Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, Broadcast Complex, Lateef Jakande Road, Agindigbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the Commissioner, who was the guest speaker at he event, the occasion presented a potent avenue for capacity building for the two prime agencies.
“This for me, is a potent avenue for capacity building for the two prime agencies. This is, indeed, 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 laudable impact in the management of traffic challenges.
“I must state here that the establishment of both agencies is a strategic intervention for traffic decongestion. The birth of LASTMA in the year 2000 has helped in managing the chaotic traffic that characterised Lagos in the 1970s to 2000.”
He further stressed that since LASTMA’s advent on the transportation scene, traffic management had gone a notch higher, reducing build-ups, which used to stretch several miles in the metropolis. He 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.
Omotoso reiterated that Lagos Traffic Radio is a child of necessity.
“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.
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 high ways 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.
On his part, the Head of Service (HoS), in the Lagos State Government, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Kamar Olowoshago, stated that the parley was indeed a laudable initiative, where issues relating to effective traffic management in the State could be exhaustively examined and relevant issues duly identified, distilled and refocused.
He added that: “The theme of the engagement, ‘Repositioning of Traffic Information Agencies for Better Performances’ cannot, therefore, be more appropriate. It would be stating the obvious to observe that one of the focal points of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present Administration is Traffic Management & Transportation which is, indeed, the first pillar of the Agenda.
“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 the Traffic Information Agencies in the State.”
Furthermore, he added that transportation challenges in Lagos is a collective responsibility, therefore, he admonished that everything should not be left to government alone, as each and everyone had a vital role to
play in ensuring a safe and secure road transportation system across 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 holding 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.
He assured that the dire need to interrogate the process of bringing forth 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, which was basically the reason for the engagement, would be robustly explored.
The GM added that the leadership of both Agencies will do all that is necessary to encourage all members of their teams to achieve the best in terms of service delivery.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding programmes department staff of both Agencies.
Outstanding Programmes Officer of the Year 2021 award was presented to Mr. Adeshina Adeosun; Mr. Micah Aruocha (aka MC Ice); Mr. Akan Usen; Mrs. Adebowale Yusuff (aka Iya Sharwama) and Mrs. Folashade Temitope Aderohunmu.
In the category of Outstanding Traffic Reporter of the Year, the awards went to Mr. Olayiwola Olanrewaju; Mr. Awotola Victor Olatunde; Mr. Awotungase Sulaiman Adelaja-Asst. Comptroller, LASTMA; Mr. Awotola Victor Olatunde and Mr. Ogunwale Adetoye Gbolahan.
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