By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been labelled as a masterstroke and a compass being copied
By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been labelled as a masterstroke and a compass being copied by other State governments of Nigeria.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, made the description at the Silver Jubilee celebration of LASTMA.
Opeifa was a former Commissioner of Transportation in Lagos State.
A statement issued by NRC management on Thursday, pointed out that as also a Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Opeifa nurtured LASTMA.
Opeifa said that the establishment of LASTMA changed the traffic management narrative in Lagos, adding that the authority has provided the compass being copied by other states of the federation.
“LASTMA which was established in year 2000, was by the then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a response to a local challenge that seems intractable has proved to be a policy decision that was not only bold, but audacious, just and right.
“It has remained effective in enforcing the peoples rights, visibly impacting on managing traffic enforcement,” Opeifa said.
He stressed that LASTMA’s impact and success are visible, and emphassized that “several states are already copying the policy in managing traffic in several urban centres across the country.”
The NRC chief noted that traffic management had been the forte of the Nigeria Police, and explained that the establishment of LASTMA not only challenged the concept of true federalism as it decentralized traffic management in Nigeria as far back as 25 years ago.
“LASTMA’s impact on traffic management over the years have been visible, sustainable and scalable and replicable as many subnational governments are now approaching the state to copy its operational model.
“Your impact in Lagos State and Nigeria traffic management is truly impactful and legendary.
“Your creation remained one of the few workable models in Nigeria for the traffic management. Your role in modern urban planning, safety and institutional reforms remain legendary,” Opeifa highlighted.
He said that LASTMA’s example has shown that local solutions can become a national phenomenon.
“Your successes are unmatched anywhere in Nigeria by any policy agency. You stand out as a bold and strategic intervention in Nigeria urban mobility landscape.
“As a policy response to traffic gridlock and the breakdown of law and order, you remained a successful signpost.
“You represent a master stroke in public policy since independence, blending law enforcement, civil and urban planning into an institutional framework that stands the test of time, politics and government.
“With your unique enforcement tactics, to your vital role in keeping Lagos traffic moving with pride, dignity and honour you remained the defining symbol of how subnational governance can innovate to solving urban problems,” Opeifa elaborated.
He paid glowing tribute to the staff of the agency who fell in the line of duty as well as those maimed just for keeping the traffic moving.
Earlier on the occasion, the Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, unveiled a strategic vision for the future of traffic management in the state.
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