LASTMA deploys 1,700 officers for 24-hour traffic monitoring

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has deployed 1,700 officers for its 24-hour daily traffic monitoring initiative tagged ‘Operation Ember Months Stability.’

 The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki said the staff were deployed to cover the five divisions of the state.

 “About seven weeks ago, the agency started 24-hour traffic management across the five divisions of the state, concentrating on major routes where vehicular movement is always on the increase.

Recently, we also deployed over 850 officers to complement and beef up what we have on the ground around the Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Lekki-Ajah axis.

 “Within these three axes, we have 1,700 officers. They maintain three shifts, with the morning shift starting at 6.00 a.m. and closing at 2.00 p.m., while the afternoon shift resumes at 2.00 p.m. and closes at 10.00 p.m.,” he said.

 He noted that the night shift would start at 9.00 p.m. and end at 6.00 a.m. the following day.

We mobilised 800 traffic equipment, ranging from channelisers, barriers, traffic control batteries, lights, reflective jackets and others,” he said.

 He added that a lot had been achieved since the inception of the 24-hour daily traffic monitoring, including quick and early responses to traffic incidents.

 “If anything happens at midnight or in the early hours of the morning, the 24-hour daily traffic management gives us the privilege to remove these infractions promptly.

 “We have also noticed an improvement in travel time for Lagos residents.”

 He added that the LASTMA Rescue and Emergency Department had also intensified efforts on major routes.

 “Our Rescue and Emergency Unit always ensures that from 11.00 p.m. till 5.00 a.m., it combs major traffic points to remove all distractions,” he said.

Culled from punch.