The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LASTMA

  • Bridge closure: road users applaud agencies on smooth traffic

    Motorists and other road users on Friday poured praises on traffic management agencies for sustaining smooth traffic flow, in spite of the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge.

    The 11.8km bridge was closed to traffic on Aug. 23 for maintenance. The closure had sparked fears that Lagos would face a traffic lock down.

    The ‘investigative maintenance test’ is expected to last for three days between Aug. 24 and Aug. 26.

    A News Agency of Nigeria correspondent monitoring, reports that traffic was smooth on the Lagos-Abeokuta highway from Iyana-Ipaja through Agege Motor Road.

    The correspondent reports that traffic also flowed on Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge through Apongbon to the Lagos Mainland.

    Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), FRSC and the police could be seen directing traffic at various areas, including Ijora Olopa Bus Stop.

    Speaking on the matter, a business woman, Mrs Tosin Amos, told NAN that she experienced free flow of traffic from Dopemu to Idumota Market on the Lagos Island.

    “It is only traffic light that stopped us around Mushin, the road is very free. The people controlling traffic are trying.

    “But I also feel that a lot of people have not returned to Lagos from the sallah holiday,” she said.

    A commercial motorist, Mr Segun Daramola, who plies the Ojo-Alaba to CMS route, told NAN that the free traffic flow was amazing for a city that had witnessed gridlocks for months.

    Daramola said that he drove from Sango-Ota in Ogun to the Island without major obstruction.

    “I am happy that all the roads are free. From Ojo-Alaba down to Costain is free. LASTMA, police and road safety people are everywhere.

    An NURTW official, who oversees Contain Bus Stop and the National Theatre area, Mr Sule Osho, commended the agencies.

    “Look at all the bridges, they are free. There are no congestions on the bridges at all.

    “Congestion on Eko Bridge or Carter Bridge cannot hide, the spillover are always spontaneous but I give kudos to the officials.

    A civil servant, who identified herself simply as Chinwe, said that the roads were free, contrary to fears of road users.

    “I drove all the way from Ago Palaceway to the Island and there was no single traffic snarl. I thank all officials manning traffic on the roads,” she said.

    However, another civil servant, Mr Louis Chukwudubem, attributed the free traffic flow to lower population because some residents had travelled for the sallah holiday and had yet to return.

    “Schools are on holidays and some people that travelled for sallah are not back. All the same, the people directing traffic are working,” he said.

    Assistant Corps Commander of the FRSC, Hauwa Olowookere, told NAN that the success recorded was due to adequate planning.

    She said that a committee, comprising traffic regulatory and law enforcement agencies, set up by the Federal Ministry of Works were working in synergy to ensure free flow of traffic.

    “The traffic control sub-committee set up by the Lagos federal controller of works, FRSC, LASEMA, RLU, Civil Defense, LASTMA, police have been working together to ensure free traffic flow.”

    Olowookere, however, appealed to road users to continue to cooperate with traffic managers and law enforcement agencies to sustain sanity on the roads.

  • Third Mainland bridge: FRSC, LASTMA will prevent gridlock’

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) yesterday assured motorists of free flow of traffic, despite the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge betweent today and Sunday.

    FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander Hyginus Omeje said 200 personnel had been deployed in the critical corridors to free traffic.

    Omeje said the corps was working with other law enforcement agencies to prevent gridlock on the road.

    “We have about 200 FRSC personnel joined with LASTMA, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police. All efforts have been put in place to make sure there is free flow of traffic at various alternative routes for motorists.

    “The traffic officers have mapped out strategic and alternative routes where the personnel will be positioned to direct motorists accordingly and ensure their compliance with traffic rules,” he said.

    The FRSC chief said motorists coming from Lagos-Ibadan could use alternative routes to connect Ikorodu-Funso Williams, Western Avenue to Eko Bridge.

    “Other alternatives are from toll gate to Alapere-Ogudu, Iyana Oworo to Gbagada to Anthony then down to Ikorodu Road.

    “The rest is from Oshodi-Apapa Expressway to Orile to Eko Bridge or Ijora Olopa.”

    According to him, moving out of Lagos Island, motorists can make  their way to  Adeniji-Carter Bridge, Idumagbo down to Oyingbo, then to Herbert Macaulay to Ijora Olopa to Eko Bridge.

    LASTMA Chief Executive Officer Chris Olakpe said about 150 LASTMA officials had been drafted to ensure free movement of vehicles during the period.

    Olakpe said the operatives were stationed at various critical routes to monitor the movement of vehicles and give directions to them.

    “LASTMA is on top of the game and we are joining forces with other law enforcement agencies to handle the traffic, especially on Eko Bridge.

     

     

     

  • Lagos traffic and LASTMA

    Many motorists believed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), despite perceived hitches, have changed the narratives on Lagos roads, writes ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE

    With over three million cars and 100,000 commercial vehicles on the roads, (when the national average is 11 vehicles per kilometre), Lagos records an average of 227 vehicles per kilometre daily.

    The above figure is compounded by the United Nations’ data that 86 people enter Lagos every hour.

    According to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), out of 10.6 million vehicles registered in the country in 2016, over three million are in Lagos, plying 9,100 roads. This huge vehicular presence is further complicated by the unregulated activities of over 200,000 minibuses, thousands of commercial motorcycles and tricycles, coupled with an influx of over 10, 000 people daily to Lagos for various reasons.

    Since inception in July 2000, LASTMA has worked tirelessly to promote sanity and safety on Lagos roads. The idea was to manage the traffic situation, which has turned movement  round the city into a nightmare.

    However, while some residents are divided over the methods being deployed by LASTMA,  others believed the methods have yielded results in certain areas.

    Many motorists also have tales of LASTMA’s high handedness in managing traffic in the Lagos metropolis to tell. LASTMA’s enforcement, which is seen by a section of the people as revenue driven to a large extent, has been counter-productive.

    To address these perceived shortcomings, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode embarked on a comprehensive overhauling of traffic management architecture in the state with a view to repositioning LASTMA to embrace 21st Century traffic control mechanism. With the new development, LASTMA has jettisoned the outdated approach to traffic management.

    Consequently, against hitherto draconian enforcements that have pitched the agency against motorists and other road users, LASTMA came up with new traffic control and enforcement protocols, which are premised on civility to road users, especially motorists.

    The result is that LASTMA officials in the last three years have de-emphasised vehicle apprehension (except where extremely necessary), unwarranted rash decisions such as towing of vehicles, removals of number plates and the indiscriminate imposition of fines on impounded vehicles.

    To further strengthen the resolve to evolve new civil template for the agency, the government also introduced Automated Booking Machine, which ensures that all fines are paid directly to banks and duly receipted, as part of the new enforcement initiatives for traffic management.

    The result was a dramatic improvement in gridlock patterns. According to a global report, most African states recorded 15 per cent increase in traffic congestion between 2015 and 2016, while North America has five per cent, Europe nine per cent, Asia and Oceanic 12 per cent and South America seven per cent, a report cited by www.theguardian.ng, stated.

    Juxtaposed with traffic situation around the world, there was 15 per cent increase in Africa and 10 per cent in the rest of the world. The implication of the report is that many African cities are yet to develop driving culture and standard traffic laws with efficient and functional traffic management institutions in line with best global practices.

    For Lagos State, the new position is a reflection of the huge resources that the state government, over the years, has invested into traffic management. Current positive traffic signals from across the state is not a feat achieved through miracles, but product of research, rigorous planning, human capacity and institutional building, coupled with massive investment in roads infrastructure.

    Since inception, LASTMA has been working at achieving its mandate of managing traffic in the state. Though Lagos has the smallest landmass in the country, the state, no doubt, has the most challenging traffic situation in the country.

    With over three million cars and 100,000 commercial vehicles on its roads as stated earlier, Lagos, daily records an average of 227 vehicles per every kilometre of roads. This scenario, which has continued a geometric growth year-on-year, has left the government little choice than to develop scientific transportation management alternatives, part of which informed the establishment of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), to manage traffic on its 9,100 road network.

  • Tanker Fire: Father seeks govt. assistance to fly child abroad for treatment

    ***as ministry presents report of investigation

    It was a pathetic story on Tuesday as a father whose wife and seven years old daughter got severely burnt at the Otedola bridge tanker explosion appealed to the government to assist him renew the international passport of her little daughter to enable him fly her and her mother abroad for adequate treatment so as not to jeopardise the future of the girl.

    The father who said he has spent over N4million so far for their treatment refused to disclose his name or have his photograph taken because he does not want the matter to go public.

    He said he initially took his daughter and wife to a private hospital after the accident after which he relocated them to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, but now needed to fly them out for proper treatment because he is not satisfied with the plight of his only daughter and wife.

    He wants the government to arrange for the only mobile capturing machine which is at Abuja to be brought down to LASUTH to do her capturing to enable her renew her passport since she can not be moved for the same purpose to the passport office here in Lagos.

    The commissioner for transport, Mr. Ladi Lawanson assured him that the government will look into it but asked the sorrowful father to see him immediately after the meeting.

    This was one of the sad tales related yesterday at a meeting to present the report of the investigation into the June 28, 2018 accident by the Lagos State Ministry of Transport.

    The meeting was also for the Nigerian Insurance Association, NIA, to access the damaged vehicles in order to take necessary steps in ensuring prompt and proper payment of conpensation to the victims and their families.

    Read Also: Tanker explosion: LASG to prosecute owner, driver

    Giving report of the investigation earlier, the commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ladi Lawanson said 55 vehicles were involved in the accident comprising of 32 SUVs, 7 buses, 3 trucks and 1 tricycle and that the fuel tanker with registration number NSR 888 YQ was registered in Kano and belongs to one Hassan Yusuf Maiwaka who would be brought to Lagos to face prosecution.

    He also disclosed that of the 55 vehicles, using forensic equipment and with the automated vehicle registration system in Lagos it was discovered that 39 were registered in Lagos and their owners have been traced and contacted.

    Some items recovered in some of the vehicles which includes £50, some euros, ATM cards and some documents were returned to the owners or their representatives after duly identifying themselves.

    The commissioner commended all the officials of emergency response teams like LASEMA, Ambulance service, fire service, FRSC, police, LASTMA etc for their quick response which “mitigated what should have been a worst disaster”.

    Also speaking, the Director-General of Nigerian Insurance Association, NIA, commended the state government for the speed with which the investigation was conducted and is coming out.

    She assured that NIA will support all genuine cases of insurance claims involved in the accident and ensure that claims are paid by the concerned insurance companies both for the burnt vehicles and lives lost.

    Managing Director of LASEMA assured families concerned that the Ministry of Health was still working on the DNA test and immediately it is through with the exercise it will call for a meeting of all those concerned and arrangements would be made to release the corpses to the right families for burial.

    Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr. Hyginus Omeje who was also present at the meeting gave some safety tips at accident scenes or while driving.

    He said in cases like what happened at Otedola bridge on the sad day, motorist should just switch off the engine of their cars and run for their lives and that when you are behind articulated vehicles in traffic you must keep a reasonable distance, he also advised that people must not gather at accident sites for the purpose of taking photographs or video recording as they would be hindering recue efforts or could become victims of further accident.

  • Lagos sets up special squad to clear trucks, tankers

    …. appeals to Maritime workers to shelve planned strike

     

    Lagos State Government has set up a joint operation involving security agencies and stakeholders in the maritime sector to clear all containerized trucks and tankers parked along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway commencing from Friday.

    The operation tagged, ‘Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads,’ was set up on Thursday and the exercise will be carried out from early hours of Friday to Monday.

    In order not to compound the already had situation the government has also appealed to Maritime Union Workers, in the interest of the nation, to shelve their planned strike action and other moves they have so far embarked on which led to the gridlock, while also appealing to Lagos residents to bear with government especially in the event of diversions to ensure removal of the parked trucks and containers.

    The squad consists of 1000 policemen, 500 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), 100 officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), 120 officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and 250 personnel of the Nigerian Military including Army, Air Force and the Navy.

    Apart from providing the equipment to be used for the operation, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) will also deploy 20 officials, while the relevant unions within the maritime sector such as Amalgamation of Container Truck Owners Association, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Association of Transport Operators (NATO), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), among others will provide hundreds of their members to serve as Task Force to work with security agencies.

    Addressing a press briefing after an emergency meeting on the chaos in Apapa axis as a result of the gridlock, the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal said the decision to set up the operation became imperative owing to the need to restore sanity and prevent complete breakdown of law and order.

    He said though the issues which gave rise to the sorry state of affairs on the federal roads and bridges linking the ports ranges from ports operational problems, activities of tank farms and shipping lines who don’t have holding bays in clear contravention to the law, and diversion as a result of ongoing construction, among others, the State Government nonetheless would not fold it arms and allow the sufferings of the people to continue, a development he said necessitated the operation.

    He said it was gratifying that all stakeholders unanimously agreed that the operation should commence with immediate effect, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other relevant agencies work to fashion out permanent solution to the issues within the Ports which gave rise to the gridlock.

    According to the CP, “Everybody is aware of the madness going on along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway that has been completely blocked by trailers and tankers. The same problem we have on our bridges in Western Avenue, Iganmu and Apapa axis.

    “However, it would be irresponsible of us to continue to watch and allow Lagosians go through these period of untold hardship without coming up with strong palliative and security measures and strong joint effort to at least ease the traffic problem and allow for free flow of traffic, while agencies that are responsible for these problems sit together like I hear they are doing currently and fashion out permanent solutions to the problems.

    Read Also: Will trucks, trailers ever leave Apapa?

    “We have held series of meetings betweenThursday and Friday and we have come up immediately with a resolve to immediately start ‘Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads’. This operation which kicks off by early hours of Friday is intended to move trucks and containers from our roads, highways and bridges to designated locations.

    “Thereafter, inventory will be made. The shipping companies themselves will be called to send their representatives to take inventory of these containers and at least have records that the containers have been taken to the designated locations so that they can continue their activities from there,” Edgal said.

    He commended motorists and Lagos residents especially those staying in the Apapa axis for their patience and understanding so far, just as he assured that concerted efforts would be made to free the road between Friday and Monday, while another level of engagement would commence with the NPA, tank farm owners, shipping companies, Shippers Council and other stakeholders to forestall a repeat of the gridlock.

    Also speaking, LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Musa assured residents that normalcy and order would soon be restored, saying that the men of the agency had fully been mobilized.

    “Just to tell Lagosians that as a government, we are very responsive and for a situation that is beyond our control and not our doing, we are nonetheless making all efforts to ease the problems of Lagosians.

    “We are on ground and we are going to ensure that sanity is restored on our roads. If the people are suffering, we are also suffering because for me to get to Apapa is a big problem to access the road but with all stakeholders coming together to solve these problems, we assure Lagosians that very soon we are going to restore order,” Musa said.

  • LASTMA refers 10 motorists for psychiatric test over misconducts

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has referred 10 traffic offenders to a psychiatric hospital for mental assessment in the last two years.

    LASTMA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chris Olakpe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the agency still carried out full mental assessment on erring motorists in the metropolis.

    He said since assuming office as chief executive officer in 2016, 10 drivers have been taken for mental evaluation.

    “The mental assessment on drivers is still ongoing particularly for drunk driving.

    “We  also referred those who drive against the traffic which we call- one way”.

    “Those drivers are materials for psycho- emotional examination. We also administer a preliminary breath alcohol test using the se breathalysers on drunk drivers.

    “When we use the breathalyser, we are able to determine those who require psycho-emotional examination and we will be able to take them away for abuse of psycho tropic and barbiturates.

    Olakpe said with the introduction of new commercial buses in the metropolis by the Lagos State government, traffic flow would improve as use of personal vehicles would decrease.

    “We are trying to create a new culture whereby you drop your car and take a ride in an air conditioned bus with all facilities,” he said.

  • Buhari’s visit: LASTMA lauds motorists’ compliance with traffic instructions

    Mr Chris Olakpe, Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( LASTMA ), has lauded the orderliness demonstrated by motorists during the official visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

    Olakpe gave the commendation in an interview with our reporter on Friday, saying that he was impressed with the motorists’ orderliness throughout the duration of the president’s visit.

    He said majority of the motorists complied with the directions and adhere to the official instructions during temporary restrictions on some major roads in Lagos on Thursday.

    “We appreciate the level of compliance of the motorists during the president’s visit to Lagos State; our officials and personnel of Nigeria Police Force really ensured there was steady movement of vehicles despite restrictions to some areas.

    “About 1,000 LASTMA officials were deployed to various routes to maintain free flow of traffic during the visit, from Ikeja axis up to Lagos Island to ensure orderliness in the city,” he said.

    Olakpe appealed to the drivers, especially the commercial bus drivers, to maintain orderliness and obey the traffic rules and regulations during the Easter festivities.

    Olakpe also urged motorists plying Agege, Iyana-Ipaja, Cement along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, to exercise patience as the ongoing road reconstruction would soon be completed.

    He also appealed to motorists to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic officials to ensure or.derliness and free flow of traffic on the roads.

  • LASTMA’ll ensure free traffic on airport road, says commissioner

    LASTMA’ll ensure free traffic on airport road, says commissioner

    Lagos Stare Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials have been drafted to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) road to ensure seamless traffic, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Rotimi Ogunleye said yesterday.

    In a statement, the commissioner said the government had begun  removin structures on the right of way (RoW) for the  road’s expansion.

    “As part of the measures put in place by the government to address the inconvenience the project may pose to motorists and commuters during the construction, the government has created alternative routes and diversions which would be manned by LASTMA officials. This is basically to ensure seamless traffic and assist motorists and commuters get to their destinations on time.”

    On the issue of payment of compensation, Ogunleye said : “Government is sincere about payment of compensation to all those affected.  We have paid more than 90 per cent in Mosafejo Oshodi, Abule Egba and Epe 1. We are presently paying Epe 2 and as for other areas such as Irede, Isawo, Igbogbo-Bayeku, Agege Pen Cinema, Oyingbo and the MMIA road, we have started the compilation and very soon payments would made.”

    He urged all thjose affected to submit the certified registered title  of properties within the  RoW, approved building plan permit for the affected structures and any other relevant documents as proof of ownership to his office to ensure ease of processing payments.

    The commissioner appealed to the people to bear with the government during reconstruction, explaining that on completion, a world class  road would be delivered.

    According to him, the road which is an entry point into the country would project a reputable image for the state and the country and attract investors and tourists .

  • Lagos donates 30 power bikes to security agencies

    Lagos donates 30 power bikes to security agencies

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday donated 30 power bikes to some security agencies operating in the state.

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode said at the handing-over of the bikes at the Lagos House, Ikeja, that the gesture was in line with the government’s commitment to boost security and enhance safety of lives and property.

    He said the donation of the bikes was in fulfilment of his promise to prioritise the security of residents and ensure that no stone was left unturned to protect the people of the state.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said security, being one of the tripods upon which his administration was built, would continue to be accorded its pride of place.

    The power bikes were funded by the Lagos State Lotteries Board and donated to the Police Command in the State.

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( LASTMA ) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency ( LASEMA ) were also beneficiaries.

    Read also: Lagos kits enforcement officers

    Ambode said the power bikes would enhance the job of the security agencies of securing lives and property of residents.

    Earlier, the Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr Oye Hassan-Odukale, commended Gov. Ambode for the donation, saying it came barely two months after he promised to procure more bikes for security agencies.

    Hassan-Odukale said that the bikes would go a long way in preventing crimes, enhancing security and ensuring residents’ safety.

    He expressed optimism that the equipment would be put into good use.

    Hassan-Odukale called on corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals to team up with the government to procure more equipment for security agencies in the overall interest of the people.

    Receiving the power bikes on behalf of security agencies, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, commended the State Government for the gesture.

    Edgal said the bikes would greatly help security personnel to pursue criminals, especially those operating in traffic.

    “Power bikes are essential for hot pursuits of criminals. Power bikes in line with the visibility clause in community policing also establishes police and other agencies’ visibilities on our streets and highways.

    “That is how important these power bikes are in fighting crime in Lagos and I want to assure the governor and the good people of Lagos that we will put the bikes to good use,’’ the police chief said.

    In their separate remarks, the General Manager, LASTMA, Mr Olawale Musa; General Manager, LASEMA, Mr Adeshina Tiamiyu and the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the State Police Command, ACP Olatunji Disu commended the state government’s initiative.

    They also expressed optimism that the bikes would help to prevent and to fight crime in emergency situations.

    NAN

  • Photospeak: LASTMA officials evacuate fallen truck

    Photospeak: LASTMA officials evacuate fallen truck

    Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency ( LASTMA ) on Friday morning started the evacuation of a loaded truck that fell to its side.

    The loan accident, according to LASTMA social media post, happened at the early hours of Friday at Cement Bus Stop inward Dopemu under bridge axis of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

    The unexpected incident has compounded the traffic of motorists  on the road as drivers are therefore advised to use alternative roads while the evacuation lasts.

    Photos Below from LASTMAsocial:

    LASTMA at work LASTMA at work LASTMA at work

    LASTMA at work