We’ll deploy drones to monitor densely populated areas, others – Sanwo-Olu

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced plans to deploy drone technology for monitoring Lagos waterways and densely populated areas as part of his administration’s efforts to enhance security and traffic management.

Sanwo-Olu made this known at the 18th Lagos State Annual Townhall Meeting on Security on Thursday.

Sanwo-Olu noted the state’s progress in mapping and digitalisation under its Enterprise Geographic Information System (EGIS).

Authorities will be able to control crowds, evaluate traffic conditions, and react quickly to incidents thanks to the drones’ real-time surveillance data.

This initiative, according to Sanwo-Olu, is in line with the state’s larger plan to integrate technology into its frameworks for urban management and security.

“The EGIS component of our mapping and digitalisation has almost been completed,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“Lagos is now properly mapped, and drone technology will be deployed at appropriate levels to ensure that both our waterways and densely populated areas will enhance area monitoring, crowd management, and traffic assessment effectively at various times so that we can sit back in our offices and people can see what is happening at locations and can respond accordingly.”

In addition to the drone technology, the governor announced that Lagos has installed nearly 500 high-definition cameras across the state, monitoring 350 streets from a central command-and-control centre with 24-hour surveillance.

Sanwo-Olu said the plan is to wrap up the deployment to about 200 cameras, which is ongoing in another phase.

He noted that the state is also installing a digital identification system that is used to apprehend traffic offenders.

Some of these things would be launched in January once they are completed, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated.

The Lagos State government, according to the governor, is working closely with private sector initiatives to accomplish these goals.