By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
In line with the ongoing strategic re-positioning of operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for professionalism and more effective service delivery to the general public, no fewer than 250 senior officers of the Agency have undergone retraining programme on Traffic Incident Management at the Police Training School, Ikeja Lagos.
The 2-day workshop, which began Wednesday and ended on Thursday last week, was organized by Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Association of Certified Forensic Intelligence and Crime Analysts.
While declaring the workshop open, the Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi disclosed that the training was in line with Traffic ‘Management and Transportation’ as one of the cardinal programmes of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as captured in the administration’s (Themes+) pillars of development in the State.
In a statement by Adebayo Taofiq,
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment of the agency, Osiyemi disclosed further that the Government is investing huge resources in training and re-training of 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 optimize their operations in order to meet up with international standards and best practices in traffic management”. It said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the convener of the workshop, Professor Abiola Allen (CP) 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 LASTMA personnel in proper management of traffic incidences across the state.
He added further that while
5,700 crashes occured in year 2023, about 2,850 lost their lives which is a significant loss of lives and properties.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olawale Musa stressed that training is critical to the success of officers on duty.
According to the Permanent Secretary, “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”
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki maintained that how we do our job is of uthmost very importance to the entire society.
Mr Bakare-Oki added, “We are Lagos State Ambassadors and as such we must render our service with empathy and high level professionalism”
