Says residents lose N1 trillion to traffic gridlock yearly
Lagos State Government has said that it will prosecute anyone who assaults officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated this, yesterday, during the second traffic conference in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee anniversary of the agency.

Sanwo Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, said the state is committed to leveraging technology, fostering youth engagement through initiatives like the Lagos State Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme (LASTSAP), as well as strengthening community partnership to build a culture of compliance and civic responsibility.

He said that over the past 25 years, LASTMA had transformed from a basic traffic control unit into a sophisticated mobility management agency, saying that where officers once depended solely on whistles and hand signals, they now operate with access to cutting-edge technology, including real-time traffic monitoring systems, automated number plate recognition, and digital communication platforms.

Besides, he said the agency’s scope had expanded far beyond simple intersection management to encompass comprehensive traffic engineering, intelligent transportation systems, and strategic urban mobility planning, noting that the economic imperative for efficient traffic management in Lagos cannot be overstated.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said that the celebration was not for lofty literate but for solutions, and urged everyone not to only celebrate national legacy, but also define its future.

In his goodwill message, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, said that what makes LASTMA unique is that they are local solutions to international issues.

Earlier, General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, while unveiling the LASTMA’s 20-year policy compendium, noted that it would serve as the operational guidelines, as well as a mode of operation for the authority.

In another development, Giwa has revealed that residents of the state lost an estimated N1 trillion yearly in productivity to traffic gridlock, with commuters spending an average of six hours daily on the road.

Giwa disclosed this, yesterday, during the flag-off of the conference held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, as part of activities marking the anniversary of the agency.

He also noted that LASTMA had helped to recover at least N4 billion in productivity previously lost to traffic congestion in the state.