Tag: LASTMA

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in collaboration with other emergency responders on Thursday, July 18, averted a catastrophic disaster, following the fall of a PMS-laden truck at the Ojota interchange ramp.

The incident occurred around 2 pm when a truck lost control and fell, spilling its flammable content on the road.

LASTMA officers promptly arrived at the scene to manage traffic and secure the area. Their swift action prevented any ignition sources from coming in contact with the spilled fuel, which could have led to a major explosion.

Other responders, including the Lagos State Fire Service, the LASEMA Response Unit (LRU), Policemen from Alapere Police Station and officials of N.N.P.C quickly joined LASTMA at the site.

Their coordinated efforts ensured that the spillage was contained and the risk to lives and property was minimized.

LASTMA personnel efficiently diverted traffic from the danger zone preventing congestion and ensuring that no pedestrians were exposed to the hazardous spill.

The area was immediately cordoned off to prevent any unauthorized access.

The Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency responders’ teams deployed specialized equipment to contain the spill.

The head of the fallen truck was safely uprighted and towed away and the road was thoroughly cleaned to eliminate any residual risks.

The prompt response and professional handling of the situation by LASTMA and the other emergency agencies were instrumental in preventing what could have been a significant disaster.

Read Also: LASTMA celebrates 24th anniversary, gives financial assistance to injured officers

LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki who was at the scene of the accident commended the swift and coordinated efforts of all the agencies involved.

“This incident underscores the importance of our emergency response protocols and the dedication of our officers and partners. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Lagosians.”

The General Manager however urges all drivers, especially those transporting hazardous products to exercise caution and to adhere strictly to safety regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in collaboration with other emergency responders on Thursday, July 18, averted a catastrophic disaster, following the fall of a PMS-laden truck at the Ojota interchange ramp.

The incident occurred around 2 pm when a truck lost control and fell, spilling its flammable content on the road.

LASTMA officers promptly arrived at the scene to manage traffic and secure the area. Their swift action prevented any ignition sources from coming in contact with the spilled fuel, which could have led to a major explosion.

Read Also: LASTMA celebrates 24th anniversary, gives financial assistance to injured officers

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Monday, July 15, celebrated its 24th-anniversary events, including the presentation of N16.5 million as financial assistance to injured officers and the recognition of ten outstanding officers for their exceptional service.

The general manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, at the event, highlighted the significant milestones and achievements of the agency over the past 24 years.

He commended the dedication and hard work of all LASTMA officers in ensuring the safety and smooth flow of traffic within Lagos State.

In a touching ceremony, Bakare-Oki presented a total of N16.5 million as financial assistance to officers who have been injured in the line of duty.

The gesture underscores LASTMA’s commitment to the welfare and support of its personnel, recognizing the risks they face daily to maintain order on Lagos roads.

The General Manager also presented Awards of Recognition to ten outstanding officers of the agency.

The officers were honoured for their exemplary performance, dedication, and contributions to traffic management and safety.

The awards serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence and public service.

Read Also: LASTMA denies involvement in body found hanging in Ikorodu

The anniversary event also featured a review of LASTMA’s achievements and plans, emphasizing the Agency’s ongoing efforts to improve traffic management systems and infrastructure in Lagos.

“LASTMA remains committed to its mission of promoting road safety, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing the overall transportation experience in Lagos State”

The agency extends its gratitude to all its officers, stakeholders, and the public for their continued support and cooperation.

“Our new toll-free call centre 080000527862 has been inaugurated to serve as support/complaint/commendation from members of the public, particularly the motoring public.”

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has refuted allegations circulating on social media that its operatives are responsible for a dead body found hanging by the gate of an estate along the Lagos-Shagamu Expressway.

LASTMA general manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, addressed the rumours, stating unequivocally that the deceased’s vehicle was not impounded by LASTMA officers.

According to Bakare-Oki, the body was discovered early hours of Thursday, July 11, by passersby, who immediately reported the incident to the police at Shagamu road.

Witnesses at the scene provided varying accounts of the deceased’s identity, with some suggesting he was dressed like a motorcyclist (Okada rider) and others speculating he was a tricyclist (Marwa rider).

There was also speculation that the body had been staged to appear as a suicide, given that the victim’s feet were touching the ground.

However, no one could definitively identify the deceased among the many Okada and Marwa operators who visited the scene.

Read Also: Drainage: LASTMA plans to tackle traffic on Herbert Macaulay Way

Bakare-Oki expressed sympathy to the deceased’s family and condemned those spreading unverified reports.

“It is unfortunate that the incident occurred by an estate gate along the Lagos-Shagamu Expressway,” he said, urging the public to verify information before sharing it.

The LASTMA general manager also encouraged motorists to seek clarification on traffic-related matters through the agency’s newly commissioned toll-free call centre at 080000527862.

The director of public affairs and enlightenment department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq stated that the body of the deceased was subsequently removed by the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), Yaba, Lagos.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has developed strategic plans to address the expected increase in traffic congestion on the Herbert Macaulay Way due to drainage rehabilitation.

The General Manager, LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki said the traffic would be from Jibowu to Agnes Junction on Herbert Macaulay Way.

Bakare-Oki attributed the traffic plans to the temporary closure by the Federal Ministry of Works for drainage rehabilitation from Jibowu to Agnes junction on Herbart Macaulay Way.

Bakare-Oki said there would be alternative routes for motorists inward-bound Yaba Tech, Sabo en-route Herbert Macaulay Way to Adekunle/Third Mainland Bridge.

“From Fadeyi-Jibowu via Muritala Mohammed Way to Montgomery Road, motorists can connect to Harvey Road and then to Agnes Junction. From there, they can navigate through Sabo and Alagomeji to the Third Mainland Bridge.

“Vehicles bound for Obalende from Fadeyi to Jibowu via Muritala Mohammed Way can link to Herbert Macaulay from Alagomeji and continue their journey to Adekunle, then connect to the Third Mainland Bridge.

Read Also: LASTMA impounds 9,370 vehicles for traffic offence

“Motorists coming from Mushin en-route to Empire heading to Obalende can follow the same route to connect to UNILAG or Obalende,” he said.

Babare-Oki said that  LASTMA officials had been strategically positioned at various choke points to manage traffic and address any incident or emergency.

He added that personnel had been mobilised to provide real-time traffic updates and emergency information via the agency’s social media handles.

He said that recovery vehicles had been strategically placed to respond to any incident in real-time.

“Robust collaboration with other law enforcement and security agencies is in place to manage traffic and handle unforeseen circumstances.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this closure, which is part of our efforts to ensure a serene and weather-resilient atmosphere in Lagos,” he said.

(NAN)

• …says call centre for launch soon

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) impounded 9,370 vehicles between January and June for alleged traffic violations.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed this figure on Sunday, July 7, during a meeting with relevant stakeholders in the transportation industry.

Bakare-Oki stated that 3,034 private vehicles were impounded, including 1,849 cars, 549 buses, and 636 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), among others.

He said: “256 casualties were recorded during this period.”

He urged motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and to respect traffic managers.

“In the last six months, it has been a mix of good, bad, and ugly, but we have managed to overcome many challenges, particularly in training and retraining our personnel,” Bakare-Oki said.

“We have successfully trained 2,000 of our staff, both internally and externally.”

He said over 900 personnel were trained externally in collaboration with the training department of the Nigerian Police, Lagos Command.

Additionally, more than 1,200 traffic officers received training from three different consultants on leadership skills, emotional intelligence, customer care, and incident management.

“We are undertaking these initiatives to improve our service delivery to Lagos residents. LASTMA aims to rebuild public confidence, particularly in public relations,” he said.

Read Also: JUST IN: LASTMA rescues two accident victims in Lagos, blames brake failure

Bakare-Oki announced that the authority’s call centre would be launched soon and would be toll-free, accommodating English, Yoruba, and Pidgin to facilitate feedback.

Regarding enforcement, the General Manager highlighted that LASTMA began by clearing the Apapa Port area, conducting several operations to remove trucks and tankers parked indiscriminately along the Apapa route.

He said: “Apart from the Apapa corridor and Iyana-Ipaja, we also cleared areas like Idumota, Apogbon, CMS, and the Lekki-Ajah axis, improving the level of orderliness in these areas. We have made significant strides across the five divisions in Lagos in terms of enforcement, and this effort is ongoing.

“We are committed to improving travel time for Lagos residents, especially during peak periods,” he said.

Bakare-Oki added that LASTMA is taking all necessary measures to enhance traffic management in the state, including the deployment of over 2,000 traffic equipment.

The accident involved a mini truck loaded with pure water and two Mazda vehicles.

The special adviser to the governor on transportation, Sola Giwa, confirmed the incident.

The mini truck, bearing the registration number SMK 796 YE, was said to have collided with two Mazda cars, AGL 576 TG and AKD 531 YC after the truck’s driver lost control due to brake failure.

Giwa said that the accident happened while descending from the Third Mainland Bridge.

LASTMA operatives acted quickly to rescue the driver of the mini truck and his assistant, who was trapped beneath the vehicle.

Both individuals sustained injuries and were immediately transported to the hospital by the truck’s owner.

Despite ongoing governmental efforts to educate motorists on adhering to speed limits and maintaining their vehicles, particularly the braking systems, many drivers continue to disregard the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.

Read Also: LASTMA cadets urged to uphold ethics, and professionalism in service to motorists

Giwa highlighted the need for drivers, especially those operating trucks, to regularly check their vehicles and refrain from speeding.

The swift action of LASTMA personnel in clearing the accident site ensured that traffic flow toward Lagos Island was restored promptly.

Giwa expressed his sympathies to the injured victims and reiterated the importance of road safety.

“Safety while driving cannot be overemphasized,” Giwa stated, urging all drivers to prioritize vehicle maintenance and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents.

The accident underscores the persistent challenges in enforcing road safety laws and the critical need for continued vigilance among all road users.