15th October, 2010
Is it hard to imagine how life would be in Lagos without the now familiar daily activities of the State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA)? Probably not! Thanks to LASTMA, a new culture; though evolving, has replaced the old ways of doing things on Lagos roads.
Indeed, the fear of LASTMA is now the beginning of wisdom for motorists who hitherto love to flout traffic rules with reckless abandon. The wisdom in weighing consequences of actions and inactions on Lagos roads is not only easing traffic situation but also a clear indication that effective and efficient traffic system is the responsibilities of everyone in the society.
In the opinion of Mr. Rasheed Raji (08057777547), a Lagos-based event photographer, “the fear of LASTMA is beginning of good life for all Lagosians; whether you are on the road for daily business routine or occasional social engagements or even at home waiting for quick arrival of your loved onesâ€. It would not amount to over-exaggeration therefore to submit that LASTMA is one of the glaring indicators of the giant leaps that have attended democratic governance in Lagos State in turn of the 21st century.
Commitment to improved traffic situation through enforcement of rules and regulations as well as adaptation to new management challenges continues to translate into increased awareness and sensitisation amongst Lagosians regarding individual and corporate responsibilities in ensuring orderliness and free flow of traffic on our roads. Although, the battle against indecent and reckless usage of roads may not have been out-rightly won, but LASTMA is daily proving that an enduring process aimed at restoring sanity on Lagos roads has come to stay. With LASTMA, the process is irreversible; the battle is winnable! LASTMA is not just a novel idea with ripples of visible accomplishments reverberating beyond the shores of its immediate environs, it has also since become a model for other metropolises and city centres across Nigeria and indeed Africa.
Over a decade ago, Lagos was reputed for the otherwise chaotic, frustrating and maddening traffic situations across its metropolis. Lagos was considered a city unworthy of living much for the unfriendly traffic situation that impacted negatively on socio-economic activities. Traffic situation in Lagos assumed a monumental challenge that not only overwhelmed traffic management authorities as well as security agencies; but also defied existing traffic rules and regulations. The erroneous impression then was that only mad drivers get through on Lagos roads and therefore everyone else needed to; at least, feign madness to cope with the traffic situation. It is no longer the case with the dynamic vision of LASTMA as an intervention agency. The fixations and fears about Lagos traffic situation have given ways to a new dawn of possibilities! LASTMA is, no doubt, making life much better in Lagos with continuous improvement on road traffic system across the metropolis.
If there are still pockets of traffic bottlenecks unresolved in Lagos, it is largely owing to factors that are beyond the immediate remedies of LASTMA whose officials are ever present and prepared to ensure free flow, unimpeded and stress-free traffic. There is the assurance that traffic situation would get much better with the spate of ongoing infrastructural transformations in Lagos state. There is no doubt that improvement on road networks and sustained awareness on the responsibilities of road users would make LASTMA function better for a more rewarding traffic experience on Lagos roads.
Happily, vices and crimes associated with traffic bottlenecks in Lagos state are also gradually becoming things of the past with traffic now flowing more freely. The popular quest amongst Lagosians for people-centred service delivery that would enhance confidence-building between LASTMA and motorists is yielding desired results. Despite obvious challenges, LASTMA Officials are now more than ever poised to enhance public trust through their daily interaction with the generality of the people. Ms. Oluwaseun Adepoju’s account on Facebook (Tuesday, 28 September, 2010) reproduced below clearly demonstrates that LASTMA is responding to popular demand for better service delivery:
“Last week, I had an unforgettable experience with a LASTMA Official (name withheld, deliberately). My colleague’s car broke down at Oshodi and within seconds, there was this LASTMA guy. We were agitated because we were all ladies, but he helped us first to see if the car could start and when that didn’t work, he called a towing van to help us out. As though that was not enough, he was able to get the towing vehicle driver to help us check what the fault of the car was. The notorious Area Boys came to our aid; one volunteered to get the belt which was reason for the breakdown. Another senior LASTMA Official came around and inquired to know what happened and we told him. He waited until the car was fixed and ensured we were neither extorted nor harassed. To crown the whole process, they didn’t collect a dime from us nor insinuate that we should pay a dime. They continued reiterating that they were simply doing their job. Sir, I can’t express enough appreciation both to you and the Officers in questions…….”
The above account represents expectation about the new face of traffic management system in Lagos. However, this standard should not be too difficult to fathom if we remember the improvement already recorded compared to the rather hopeless situation as at 1999 when challenge of transportation in Lagos became one of the barometers for accessing the performance of the new democratic government. Thus, LASTMA was a well-thought-out and excellently-conceived response to a challenge that seemed insurmountable. Fortunately, LASTMA has responded to this challenge by making Lagos worth the living. There is a justifiable reason therefore to argue that things could only get better with LASTMA! The point that needs to be reiterated is that the challenges of achieving more orderly, safer and mutually-benefiting traffic situation in Lagos is the responsibilities of all Lagosians who must discharge their responsibilities as lawful citizens while demanding that LASTMA and other traffic as well as security agencies should effectively play their roles in accordance with its mandate under the law.
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