LASTMA seeks China partnership for smart traffic technology

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has sought a strategic partnership with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos on the deployment of advanced technology for traffic management and control in the state.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, led top management officials of the agency on a high-level working visit to the Chinese Consulate, where they explored areas of collaboration on traffic management, technological innovation and urban mobility.

The delegation was received by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing.

Speaking during the visit, Bakare-Oki underscored the need to harness advanced technology, international best practices and institutional knowledge to improve traffic management operations across Lagos.

He said, “Lagos’ burgeoning vehicular population, expanding commercial activities and escalating mobility demands necessitate a sophisticated, technology-driven traffic management architecture capable of addressing congestion, incident management, enforcement, surveillance and road-user engagement with greater efficacy.”

All these wer detailed in a statement signed by the agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Taofiq Adebayo, on Friday.

According to the LASTMA general manager, the agency was committed to strengthening its operations through the adoption of Intelligent Transportation Systems, real-time traffic monitoring, smart surveillance, artificial intelligence, data-driven enforcement and automated incident detection.

LASTMA remains resolute in continually recalibrating its operational framework through the adoption of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), real-time traffic monitoring, smart surveillance, artificial intelligence, data-driven enforcement, automated incident detection and other contemporary traffic control technologies,” he said.

Bakare-Oki said the proposed partnership could provide LASTMA with access to international expertise, technological knowledge and innovative solutions that could be adapted to Lagos’ transportation system.

He also stressed the importance of professional development and knowledge transfer alongside technological advancement.

He said technological advancement “must be complemented by sustained professional development, specialised training and knowledge transfer to ensure that personnel possess the requisite competencies to effectively deploy and manage sophisticated traffic technologies.”

Responding, Yan welcomed the visit and acknowledged the importance of strengthening institutional and professional exchanges between relevant authorities in Lagos and their counterparts and stakeholders in China, particularly in transportation, urban mobility and technological innovation.

The discussions covered intelligent transportation systems, traffic data management, road safety, technological capacity building, operational efficiency and innovative solutions to urban mobility challenges.

Bakare-Oki reiterated LASTMA’s commitment to building relationships with local and international institutions with expertise and technological capabilities that could contribute to safer roads, improved traffic flow, efficient incident response and a more orderly transportation environment.

The working visit, according to LASTMA, was aimed at broadening the agency’s international partnerships and accelerating the development of a technology-enabled and data-informed traffic management system in Lagos.

Other senior LASTMA officials at the meeting were Akeem Adeosun, Jimmy Awoyemi, Jubril Oshodi, Folake Ayeni, Afe Babalola, Akinpelu Ayuba, Mohammed Giwa and Adebayo Taofiq.