In line with the ongoing strategic repositioning of operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for professionalism and effective service delivery to the general public, the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Association of Certified Forensic Intelligence and Crime Analysts on Wednesday commenced a two-day workshop for 250 senior officers of LASTMA on ‘Traffic Incident Management’ at the Police Training School, Ikeja Lagos.
The Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed, while declaring the workshop opened, that the training was in line with traffic ‘management and transportation’ as one of the cardinal programmes of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as captured in the administration’s (Themes+) pillars of development in the state.
Osiyemi disclosed that the government was investing huge resources in training and re-training LASTMA personnel to guarantee a refined and robust traffic management system as well as reduce traffic congestion across the state.
“We map out new re-training modules to aid effective execution of duties as well as enlighten our officers on new innovative ways to optimise their operations to meet up with international standards and best practices in traffic management”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Convener of the Workshop, Professor Abiola Allen, stated that traffic incidents can be destructive in a metropolitan city like Lagos if not well-managed and that valuable insights and best practices are taught by seasoned and experienced police officers.
Also, during his speech, the Commandant of the Police Training School, DCP Ishaq Salihu, stated that the workshop would further strengthen the ability of LASTMA personnel in the proper management of traffic incidents across the state.
He added further that while 5,700 crashes occurred in the year 2023, about 2,850 lost their lives, which is a significant loss of lives and properties.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa stressed that training is critical to the success of officers on duty.
According to him, “When traffic flows, the economy of the State also flows and that’s when Lagosians particularly the motoring public will value your services as Traffic officers”.
General Manager, LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, maintained that how we do our job is of utmost importance to the entire society. Bakare-Oki added: “We are Lagos State Ambassadors and as such we must render our service with empathy and high-level professionalism.”
environmental sustainability.
