Yemisi Dada
The General Manager of one of the Lagos State government’s media stations, Lagos Traffic Radio, Mr Tayo Akanle has been inducted as a Special Traffic Mayor of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, making him the first Head of Government Agency to be inducted into the Corp.
This was contained in a statement by the station’s Deputy Director, News and Current Affairs, Mrs Adeola Akindele, and made available to newsmen in Lagos.
Decorating the GM, LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki said the induction was to recognise the ongoing contributions of Akanle and Lagos Traffic Radio to transportation advocacy and road safety.
Mr Bakare-Oki was represented by the Director of Advocacy and Special Traffic Mayor Department in LASTMA, Mr. Jimi Awoyemi.
The LASTMA Boss emphasized the importance of collaborations from key stakeholders, including Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Government Agencies and Parastatals, well meaning individuals, in assisting government to ensure effective traffic management and control and serve as eyes and ears of government across the State, providing real-time updates on officers’ conduct, road users and traffic situations.
Responding, Mr Akanle acknowledged the honour bestowed on him and the station, which he said would spur him and the entire members of staff of the organisation to do more in supporting the State government’s bid to make the roads safer for all road users, in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S plus Agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
Mr Akanle hinted that the Station provides travel advisories on other modes of transportation, including the Waterways, Rail and Airways, leveraging technology and its online presence.
He also appealed to LASTMA leadership to consider inducting more people into the programme, especially, people within the station who have spent over a decade helping Lagosians plan their journey daily, hence giving them leadership roles that will deepen their commitment to ensuring a traffic free Lagos.
The General Manager also called for greater public-private synergy in traffic management, promising that with better communication, swift enforcement and public involvement, Lagos roads would be safer and more efficient for all.
High point of the brief ceremony, was the induction and decoration of the General Manager with a Special Mayor Uniform and handing over of the Manual, popularly called ‘Holy Book’ which covers everything from the origins of the LASTMA Mayor initiative to the functions of Special Traffic Mayors and the legal framework surrounding traffic laws in the state.
The manual also contains a comprehensive directory of zonal formations, with official contact numbers designed to improve response time during traffic incidents.