The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has inducted no fewer than 12 media practitioners drawn from the print, broadcast, and digital media as traffic mayors in its efforts to improve vehicular movement across the state.
The induction was held at the agency’s headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos State, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the induction, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, noted that the Media Traffic Mayor idea was an initiative designed to fortify and complement the efforts of LASTMA officers, ensuring traffic order, safety, and mobility across the state.
According to him, the cosmopolitan nature of the state and its small land size had made traffic management a Herculean task.
He stressed that due to the high commercial activities in the state and the high vehicular movement, it was necessary to inculcate the mayors in the state’s traffic management.
According to him, the inductees were selected to support the efforts of the agency in promoting traffic safety and sensitising the public about the necessity of traffic rules compliance.
Bakare-Oki said, “The management of LASTMA is intentional about this initiative so that we can further enshrine the safety culture and high level of compliance to traffic rules and regulations by bringing all major stakeholders on board into traffic management in Lagos.
“Traffic management is a collective responsibility, and LASTMA cannot do it alone. The media is an integral part, and we believe that you are the bridge between the government and the citizens.
“By bringing you on board, this will continue to foster a robust relationship by helping the agency to promote safety and compliance with traffic rules and regulations.”
He noted that the inductees are volunteers empowered to monitor traffic situations, report traffic infractions, and support traffic management across the state.
Bakare-Oki concluded by emphasising the agency’s commitment to discipline, promoting the welfare of its officers, and ensuring the safety of road users across the state.
In his remarks, the LASTMA Director of Traffic Advocacy and Special Traffic Mayor, Jimmy Awoyemi, expressed confidence that the induction of the media mayors would enhance traffic management in the state.
He encouraged the media mayors to also help the agency in propagating the initiatives of the agency.
“Before now, it seems LASTMA has been working in the dark, and most of our achievements have not been well projected.
“That is why we are bringing the media on board. I want to say that this is a great beginning that will engender excellent achievements of the mission and vision of LASTMA,” Awoyemi said.
Reacting on behalf of the mayors, PUNCH Metro Editor, Joel Nwokeoma, described the initiative as a reflection of LASTMA’s commitment to transparency and accepting public scrutiny.
He stressed that the initiative would go a long way in enhancing LASTMA’s operations.
“This initiative, which is essentially aimed at interfacing with the public, shows how transparent the organisation is and how much it is inclined to accept scrutiny from the media.
“It is a commendable initiative, and I am sure this initiative will go a long way in humanising the operations of LASTMA,” Nwokeoma concluded.
PUNCH Metro reported on August 24 that LASTMA unveiled its plan to initiate the Media Traffic Mayor to augment its officers, in the harmonisation of urban mobility across the state.
Credit: punchng.com
