The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has rebranded its Special Traffic Mayors (STM) initiative to bolster its officers’ efforts in traffic management, public safety, and emergency response coordination.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the LASTMA Special Traffic Mayors initiative was created in the year 2008 to assist its officers in the management of traffic within the State.
Requirements for membership include proven integrity of persons in the society with verifiable means of livelihood, valid Driver’s License and unblemished driving record, among others.
At the event held in Lagos on Thursday, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, and 60 permanent secretaries were inducted as traffic mayors.
Speaking, Agoro described the induction as a fantastic initiative, adding that this would ensure that more persons assisted in traffic management and control in the state.
“We do not have enough people to manage traffic in Lagos State, so the higher the caliber of people we bring in, the better and so, we started with Lagos permanent secretaries and will cascade it down to others.
“LASTMA cannot be everywhere, whereas these permanent secretaries while on a journey, may observe a situation and can come down and step-in to assist in traffic management.
“LASTMA officers do a great job under strenuous circumstances, so they need all the help they can get and this is one of it,” he said.
Agoro noted that this responsibility was not to burden the permanent secretaries because they would not leave their work to go control traffic, the responsibility would be done when the person observed issues on the road.
“This will not also reduce the work load of LASTMA because the number of people that come into the state is enormous,” he said.
On harassment or assault of LASTMA officers, Agoro noted that the state would not tolerate it, adding that anyone caught would be arrested and prosecuted.
Also speaking, Mr Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Transportation, said that the event was basically to ensure inclusive traffic management in the state.
Giwa added that it was also to make people that ran the ministry, which was the engine room of the civil service understand what LASTMA does.
“ We know that the governor’s T.H.E.M.E. Plus Agenda starts with traffic management, so if we are driving this agenda, we should be fully involved in traffic management.
“This is all about inclusiveness, these people here are the drivers of government policies, onboarding them into traffic management means that we will see more positive response to traffic management,” he said.
Commenting, Mr Olawale Musa, Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Transportation, said that under the road traffic law in Lagos state, provision had been made to engage members of the public to assist LASTMA officials in the control and management of traffic.
Musa noted that the STM had been on its lowest ebb before, adding that there had been the need to reinvigorate the process.
“Our starting with the body of permanent secretaries, highest civil service body in Lagos State and the head of service, gives impetus, authority, and more respect to traffic management and control.
“Often times, our officers are not respected and showcasing these caliber of people will attract that respect. We are also considering introducing captains of industries to the initiative,” he said.
Musa pointed out that the LASTMA traffic mayors would be working with officers in different zones, and their schedule would correspond with those of the zonal officers.
He noted that the state’s e-call-up system in Lekki was an initiative that would aid traffic in that axis and ensure that during this festive period, trucks do not cause any havoc
