The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the constitution of a Special Traffic Management and Enforcement Compliance Team to resolve the traffic gridlock in and around Apapa.
This disclosure is contained in a statement signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Sunday, January 31.
According to the statement from Omotoso, members of the team include:
- Hon. Toyin Fayinka (Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation);
- Engr. Olajide Oduyoye (General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA);
- Hon. Sola Giwa (SSA to the Governor on Central Business Districts); and
- Ayodeji Laurent (SSA to the Governor on Political Security Intelligence).
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The Commissioner said, “The Special Traffic Management & Enforcement Compliance Team is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring zero tolerance of traffic offenders and a seamless traffic management system specifically designed to restore sanity in and around Apapa and create a cohesive system that would aid the resurgence of business activities and ensure that residents live in a conducive environment devoid of traffic-induced stress.’’
Omotoso added that the Governor said that the area of coverage of the Team’s operations includes:
- Ikorodu Road to Oshodi – Mile 2 – Apapa
- Ikorodu Road – Funsho Williams Avenue (Surulere) – Alaka – Iganmu – SIFAX – Ijora 7up – Apapa
- Surulere – Alaka – Eko Bridge – Ijora Olopa – Ijora 7up – Apapa.
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The Governor, in the statement, said that with the development, it was expected that traffic within Apapa and its environs would be better managed by a team of dedicated LASTMA, FRSC, Police, and Intelligence Service Officers.
Sanwo-Olu added that the policemen from Area ‘B’ Police Command would tentatively provide security back-up for the team, pending the announcement of the new security architecture by the State Government.
The head of the new Special Traffic Management & Enforcement Compliance Team, Hon. Toyin Fayinka (Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation) and other members of the team are expected to work with the designated team of the Inspector-General of Police and collaborate with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu and other members of Law Enforcement Agencies in and around Apapa to ensure the success of the team’s assignment.
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What you should know
- It can be recalled that the Federal Government announced the withdrawal of the Presidential Task Force on Ports Decongestion, following the restoration of some level of normalcy on the Apapa axis with the disappearance of trucks and tankers on the bridges and major roads.
- Consequently, the Lagos State Government moved to take over from the task force on port decongestion and create a new operational template for the task force.
- This follows the pronouncement of the Governor on the takeover of traffic management from the Presidential Task Team on the decongestion of Apapa gridlock after his visit on December 28, 2020.
