The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, has said that the government is still working hard to make traffic better in Lagos.
He explained that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has moved from just managing traffic to also handling incidents, and they have made great progress in how they control traffic.
Giwa spoke at the LASTMA Headquarters in Oshodi during a press event to celebrate the agency’s 25th anniversary.
He said that over the past 20 years, LASTMA has offered strong and effective services. He added that the agency has improved by using data and new digital tools.
Talking about changes in transportation and traffic management, Giwa said the 25th anniversary is a major event. It shows the agency’s strong commitment to improving public service and traffic control.
He said this celebration is not just a party. It is also a time to look back, recognize past achievements, and show renewed dedication to serving the public well in traffic management.
Giwa praised former governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is now the President of Nigeria, for starting LASTMA. He said it was created to solve the serious traffic problems Lagos faced at that time.
Before LASTMA was formed, Lagos had major traffic jams, no proper traffic control, and poor enforcement of road rules.
Now, 25 years later, LASTMA has become a strong part of the city’s transportation system. It has helped reduce travel time, improve road safety, and enforce traffic laws. Its work has been praised in Nigeria and beyond.
Today, LASTMA has more than 4,000 workers. They are spread across Lagos to keep traffic moving, reduce congestion, handle emergencies, and make sure road laws are followed.
Giwa said that LASTMA is no longer just a support agency. It is now seen as a model for traffic control that other places in Nigeria and other countries learn from.
He listed areas where LASTMA is doing well, such as using new technology, training staff, responding to emergencies, teaching the public about traffic rules, working with other agencies, and improving infrastructure.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, also spoke and said the agency has made a lot of progress over the last 25 years through its many activities.
He added that this progress is due to the efforts of LASTMA’s leaders and the support of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.
Bakare-Oki said using the Traffic Management System (TMS) and other digital tools has helped reduce traffic problems in Lagos.
He promised that LASTMA will keep doing its best to make Lagos roads safer for all drivers.
