Lagos MOT, FRSC explore traffic management partnership

Desirous of appropriate strategies to rid Lagos State of traffic gridlock, the Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are to explore areas of partnership that includes joint patrol teams comprising the Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS), the Lagos State Traffic Management authority (LASTMA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Disclosing this, during a courtesy call by Hyginus Omeje, Lagos state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at the Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja, special adviser to the governor on transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi observed that managing traffic in Lagos requires all agencies with related responsibility act in unison rather than at cross purpose.

He said synergy among traffic and security agencies will serve to boost the ability to sanction erring motorists adding that a significant number of motorists and vehicles do not have the necessary papers to be on the road. State government is receptive to ideas that will assist it dislodge traffic adding that transportation is at the heart of the state economy and cannot be taken

for granted.

 While also noting that attitude plays a major part in the traffic gridlock on the roads, he urged drivers and commuters to exercise patience when driving. The automation of the process of obtaining licenses and vehicle paper is impacting on the ability of the state to monitor the quality of vehicles plying the road.

Sector commander of FRSC Hyginus Omeje suggested that the establishment of a joint patrol team comprising FRSC, VIS and LASTMA will address both the quality of vehicles on the road as well as ensure prompt adherence to the demands of the State’s traffic law and other extant laws.

He touted the need for an expanded state security council, as is the case in Edo State, to include other agencies such as his, so that cross cutting issues which make up the security apparatus will be handled. According to him, there is also an established need for a mobile court which will try all the traffic offenders arrested by the joint team.

While also stating that efforts are on to ensure that all persons who form cartels to frustrate the processing of licenses are dislodged,  Omeje noted that citizens are entitled to such services at appropriate fees.

He said Lagos is at the forefront of providing effective transport management in Nigeria, citing creation of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), provision of Motor Vehicle Administration Authority/Agency (MVAA) and automation of process of licenses as critical steps that are being copied by other states. He further urged action in the area of abandoned vehicles stating that, they are a veritable source of security concern.