Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command have agreed to form a Joint Task Force with other professional traffic managers on accident reduction, particularly truck crashes, on Lagos Roads. Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, General Manager of LASTMA, revealed this during a courtesy call by the new Sector Commander of FRSC Lagos, Corps Commander, Babatunde Farinloye and his team to LASTMA Headquarters, Oshodi, Lagos. Oreagba disclosed that LASTMA as a first responder at any emergency/accident scene across the State has been rescuing accident victims, particularly those involving truck crashes in collaboration with other emergency responders like Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASMBUS), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Lagos Fire and Rescue Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
He said: “Sequel to the need to prevent further loss of lives and properties through truck crashes on Ojuelegba Bridge, LASTMA had deployed trained officers to be redirecting heavy-duty trucks/tankers from Ojuelegba Bridge at Ikorodu Road.” Oreagba maintained that for fairness, equity and quick dispensation of justice on all traffic violators including truck drivers, the Lagos State Mobile will be part of the LASTMA – FRSC joint Task Force on Accident Reduction. According to him “The love, collaboration and brotherliness between the two government Agencies will continue to ensure the safety of road users for stimulation of growth and development in the State.” The General Manager stressed that innocent motorists, including other road users who are mostly victims of road accidents would be beneficiaries of this joint task force. In his remarks, Corps Commander Babatunde Farinloye, Sector Commander of FRSC Lagos, said the FRSC was primarily established to maintain safety on highways across the country.
Farinloye maintained that FRSC has been collaborating with individual State Traffic Management Agencies in maintaining standards on road safety management across the country. He said: “FRSC and LASTMA must work together as a team for peace, safety and free flow of traffic on the highways as this will lead to a paradigm shift from the usual way of operation to an exceptional and outstanding method.” He called for more public education and enlightenment for recalcitrant motorists who disobey traffic regulations, particularly those driving against traffic (oneway) in Lagos State. While thanking the management of LASTMA for their maximum cooperation with FRSC personnel on traffic management around the construction site by ‘Kara Bridge’ on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Farinloye, advised motorists to have their valid driver’s license whenever they are driving in the state and the country at large.
