Easter: LASTMA deploys additional personnel, critical logistics

By Isa Isawade

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has deployed additional personnel and critical logistics across the state to ensure safety of road users during Easter festivities.

This was made known in a press statement issued and signed on Sunday by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq.

As Lagos anticipates the customary surge in human and vehicular movement associated with the Easter season, the General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, issued a firm advisory to all motorists and road users across the state, “urging elevated vigilance, heightened discipline and unwavering compliance with established traffic regulations.”

Mr. Bakare-Oki emphatically warned against driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking and all forms of irresponsible road behaviour capable of precipitating preventable tragedies and avoidable destruction of lives and property.

He noted that festive periods, although celebratory in nature, invariably exert additional pressure on the transportation network, thereby demanding utmost restraint from motorists.

He reiterated that no festivity or social engagement warrants conduct that jeopardises personal safety or threatens the security of other road users.

“To ensure unhindered mobility of persons, goods and essential services throughout the Easter holidays, LASTMA has deployed an enhanced corps of Officers to major traffic corridors, transport hubs, highways, intersections, central business districts, recreational centres, religious venues and other strategic high-traffic locations spanning the five divisions of Lagos State.

“These Officers have been expressly instructed to heighten surveillance, compliance and swiftly address any emerging traffic disruptions.

“We have likewise deployed both high and medium capacity tow trucks, while strategically positioning essential operational equipment including traffic cones, safety barriers and other response apparatus across major corridors and critical transit points. This ensures that in the event of a vehicle breakdown or any traffic-related incident, our teams can swiftly activate comprehensive traffic incident management protocols and restore order with minimal delay,” the statement said.

According to the General Manager, this expanded deployment underscores LASTMA’s steadfast commitment to ensuring efficient mobility while safeguarding the lives and property of Lagos residents, commuters and visitors. He affirmed that the Authority’s operational teams are fully mobilised and adequately resourced to manage the anticipated escalation in vehicular activities during the festive period.

“We appeal to all motorists to demonstrate exemplary conduct, exercise patience and obey all directives issued by Officers on duty. Safety is a collective obligation and every driver must understand that a single moment of impaired judgment whether through drunk driving or reckless speed may result in irreversible loss. As we commemorate Easter, let us uphold moderation, alertness and respect for traffic laws,” Mr. Bakare-Oki stated.

He further urged commercial drivers, transport union executives, fleet managers and logistics operators to intensify sensitization efforts targeted at their members and personnel on the dangers of overloading, excessive speed and substance impairment, stressing that collective adherence is vital to reducing road traffic crashes.

“LASTMA extends warm Easter greetings to all residents of Lagos State and reiterates its readiness to provide uninterrupted traffic management and enforcement services throughout the celebrations.

“The Authority encourages the public to promptly report any traffic infractions, obstructions or emergencies for immediate professional intervention,” the statement concluded.