LASTMA set to tackle congestion at event centres, social gatherings

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will no longer allow indiscipline on the road, especially at event centres, as a slight delay as such places can lead to gridlock.

LASTMA would henceforth collaborate with operators/owners of event centres and other places of social gatherings, as well as relevant stakeholders for seamless traffic flow across the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, disclosed this on Wednesday during at a ‘Stakeholder Parley on Traffic Management and Safety at Events Centres and Places of Gathering’ held at LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

Giwa added, “This stakeholders parley is not targeted at disrupting events centres businesses, rather it is to ensure orderliness and reduce travel time of motorists.”

Earlier, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said effective traffic management around events centres would contribute strongly to the safety of attendees at such gathering and other residents in that area.

Bakare-Oki said, “The interest of other motoring public should be prioritised and considered while operators of event centre run their businesses.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure that sanity is maintained whenever there is any social gathering at event centres across Lagos metropolis.”

The Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, in his remarks said, “Lagos State Safety Commission is responsible for monitoring and maintaining safety standards around event centres, clubs and other places of gatherings.”

While assuring the support of his agency in regulating activities surrounding events centres, he implored all stakeholders in the industry to comply with ‘Traffic Management Policy Plans’ to save travel time.

Present at the stakeholders parley were operators/owners of event centres, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Toyin Aremu, top management staff of LASTMA, commanders and zonal heads.