LASTMA Plans 24-Hour Traffic Operations as Lagos Prepares for Festive Season

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has announced plans for intensified 24-hour traffic operations as the state prepares for increased movement during the Ember Months and festive season.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the strategy would improve traffic flow, help officers detect incidents quickly and reduce congestion on major roads.

He said LASTMA personnel and specialised response teams would be deployed to major interchanges, bridges, arterial roads, transport terminals, commercial districts and other areas where traffic is usually heavy.

Bakare-Oki said the operation would include real-time traffic monitoring, strategic management of major corridors, intersection control and rapid response to incidents and road obstructions.

He said particular attention would be given to vehicle breakdowns, crashes, illegal parking, and illegal loading and offloading.

The agency will also strengthen its incident management system to ensure that crashed or broken-down vehicles are quickly removed from roads.

Bakare-Oki said temporary traffic diversions would be introduced where necessary to keep vehicles moving and prevent minor incidents from causing widespread gridlock.

He said the expected increase in festive-season movement would require cooperation among government agencies and other stakeholders.

LASTMA will work with the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos Ambulance Service Agency and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

Bakare-Oki also appealed to motorists, especially commercial drivers and truck operators, to obey traffic rules.

He warned against speeding, reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, illegal parking and indiscriminate loading and offloading.

He urged motorists to check their brakes, tyres, lights and other important parts of their vehicles before travelling.

The LASTMA boss said the agency remained committed to “maintaining safe, efficient and resilient traffic movement” throughout the festive period.