SUNRISE NEWS, Lagos, Sept 15, 2020 Lagos State Government is committed to the deployment of technology to manage traffic congestion in the state, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso has said.
Omotoso who spoke at the Lagos Traffic Radio during the inauguration of the pilot scheme of the Lagos Traffic Radio motorcycles meant to boost live coverage of traffic gridlocks and other incidents obstructing traffic in the state on Tuesday.
According to the Commissioner, though the initiative was commendable as it represents the station’s humble effort to boost traffic and travel advisory responsibilities to the motoring public, the government would continue to pursue the deployment of technology to help ease traffic control and enhance its enforcement capabilities.
He said: “The government has deployed close circuit cameras at the Allen Avenue roundabout and all other areas where the government only recently completed junction improvement works, adding that when these cameras are all Lagos, it would be needless for LASTMA officials to embark on physical arrest of offending vehicles as any motorist who offends traffic regulations would be ticketed and such fines taken to their respective homes.”
Omotoso who commended the management and staff of the radio station, said he looks forward to the day that the radio station would go beyond the acquisition of motorcycles, to when it would be able to deploy drones and helicopters to monitor traffic around Lagos and to give on-the-spot report on traffic situation from such vantage positions.
Lagos Traffic Radio’s General Manager, Mr. Tayo Akanle said the acquisition of the motorcycles is the station’s contribution to the actualization of the Traffic Management and Transportation component of the THEMES agenda of the state government.
He said: “It is our belief that the motorcycles would aid our operations by allowing us to arrive timely at incident spots especially along our very busy roads, to provide on-the-spot live and accurate reports that could assist motorists and commuters make informed decisions regarding their movement.”
Akanle said the new acquisition would put an end to instances when its reporters arrive late at incident spots thereby hindering the provisions of live and accurate reports for all road users.
“We are assuring our listeners that reports disseminated would be more professional, comprehensive, real time and accurate as it would be handled by trained journalists from the station and the information so gathered shared not only on the airwaves but also on its social media platforms for wider reach,” Akanle said.
The General Manager said the initiative would further complement efforts by LASTMA and other stakeholders such as FRSC on traffic management and travel advisory, adding that the live coverage would focus for the pilot scheme on the in and out bound Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ikorodu road.
“We are hopeful that the success of the LTR live update motorcycle pilot scheme will reverberate across Lagos State as more motorcycles and accessories are provided to cover more areas across the state” Akanle stated.