….educates them on traffic management, legal framework and operational guidelines of Lastma.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Wednesday, 1st of November, 2023 hosted top management Officials of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority on effective and efficient traffic management of LASTMA in Lagos State.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, while welcoming them to his office at Oshodi, informed the visitors that the primary purpose for the establishment of the Agency in year 2000 by the then administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was to transform the State’s transportation system and to ensure free flow of traffic and reduction in road incidents across the State.
Mr. Oreagba disclosed that to properly manage and control traffic in Lagos, the Agency operates an efficient operational guideline with a viable structure that is enhanced by Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (2018).
LASTMA HOSTS OYSRTMA ON COUTERSY VISIT TO OSHODI, LAGOS
The General Manager added that the 22 year-old Agency, in achieving its mandate, has close to 5000 personnel managing traffic across the metroplis for the desired goal of free flow of vehicular movement.
He stressed further that the deployment of modern technology is to aid efficient service delivery of LASTMA .
Such as the use of Traffic Management Solutions (TMS) Device now helps to capture real-time traffic offences, reduces direct physical contact with offenders and also prevents back and forth argument between offenders and traffic officials”
Earlier during his address, the Chief Executive Officers of Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority; Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd) disclosed that their visit to LASTMA Headquarters is to understudy modes of operation, how offenders were captured and how data being generated in order to replicate same in Oyo State given the achievement and success LASTMA has recorded in Lagos.
The General Manager of OYSRTMA, Mr. Adeoye Ayoade Kola profusely thanked the management of LASTMA for the warm reception and robust enlightenment given to them during the discussions.
As part of the courtesy visit, Officials of OYSRTMA visited Lagos State Traffic Radio and Lagos State Command & Control Centre located at Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja
Top management Officials of Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority at the meeting include Akinade Sunday (Provost Head), Obisesan Abiodun (PRO), Olalere Olaniyi (Zonal Commander), Adisa Oluwakayode (D.S.C Rescue), Sbdullahi Rofiat (D.S.C Special Duty) and Adesokan Saheed (S.C).
RE: VIO/STATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AGENCIES DO NOT HAVE POWERS TO ARREST OVERLOADED VEHICLES AND OTHER TRAFFIC OFFENDERS, FRSC DISSOCIATES ITSELF FROM COMMENTS BY ITS OPERATIVE
The Federal Road Safety Corps wishes to make a pertinent clarification regarding the pronouncement by the Unit Commander, Central Business District Unit Command, Assistant Corps Commander IL Ibrahim, that Vehicle Inspection Officers, otherwise known as Directorate of Road Traffic Services, do not have the right to arrest road traffic violators, including overloaded vehicles and motorists caught using phones while driving.
The general public is advised to disregard the statement as it had no approval of the Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu and does not in anyway reflect the corporate or general position of the Corps.
It is important for the public know that the laws establishing VIOs/State Traffic Management Agencies give them the statutory mandate to make arrests on different offences depending on the state within which they operate. As such, the agencies should be given the maximum cooperation for the enhancement of safety on our roads.
On this note and in line with sustaining the Corps’ resolve that road safety is a collective responsibility, and in acknowledgement of the roles the State Traffic Management Agencies like the Vehicle Inspection *OFFICERS* play in complementing the statutory responsibilities of the FRSC through enforcement of traffic laws, the Corps Marshal has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Unit Commander to the national headquarters for necessary administrative and disciplinary actions.
The public is admonished to always comply with all established traffic regulations and cooperate with security agencies deployed to maintain law and order on the highways, irrespective of their corporate mandate.
The National Association of Seadogs, NAS Abeokuta Chapter has expressed profound dismay over the shocking killing of Mr Taiwo Oyekanmi, the Director of Finance and Account attached to the office of Governor Dapo Abiodun, at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
The NAS received reports indicating that Mr Oyekanmi lost his life tragically on the NNPC bridge near Kuto, Abeokuta, while returning to his office from Fidelity Bank, where he had gone for a routine withdrawal.
In response to this, yet another scary incident in the macabre series of murders that have over the years dumbfounded the population, NAS has issued a strong condemnation, fiercely denouncing the act. The association is calling on both the government and security institutions to take swift and decisive action to unravel the circumstances surrounding Mr Oyekanmi’s killing.
In a statement signed by the Capoon, Prince Olubiyi Adegbenga, the group expressed deep condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased and stressed the need for heightened security measures to safeguard the lives of citizens to prevent further losses of lives.
NAS emphasized the urgency of obtaining justice for the grieving family, urging authorities to address the root cause of such social menace to prevent recurrence. “We demand for a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are apprehended and brought to justice, serving as a deterrent to others.”
“A decisive and thorough investigation becomes pertinent because of the obvious but unswered questions raised by the circumstance of the death of this strategic officer.”
“NAS can not come to terms with the fact that the State Government is transacting with and moving such a large amount a hundred million naira plus in CASH while the government harps on cashless policy.”
The organisation also raised suspicion of a foul play on the fact that only the director of finance was killed in the incident.
Therefore, as an organisation with a firm root in justice we hereby join the bereaved family in calling for a thorough probe and justice to bring the criminals behind the cruelty to book as the community mourns the loss of a dedicated public servant.
Chief Pearl Ogbulu the Erelu Okin of Orile-Kemta has been appointed as League of Women Voters in Lagos State Chairperson. The 1996 organisers founded by Dame Esther Udehi at the end of the fourth world conference on women in Beijing China. Erelu Okin was bestowed the honour for her immense contribution to the Just concluded general election in March 2023.
While accepting the honour bestowed on her; she disclosed that; she is ready to galvanize more women into active politics and also champion the cause for women to play a prominent role in policy making and government affairs in the country. She also promised to work with all relevant stakeholders in ensuring women are given the chance to play a pivotal role in coming election also assume their role as nation builders.