The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has appealed to motorists operating in the state to cooperate with its officials by obeying traffic rules along corridors where construction and rehabilitation works are ongoing.
Mr Chris Olakpe, the LASTMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
Olakpe’s appeal was sequel to complaints being lodged by motorists over the perennial traffic congestions being experienced across the state.
NAN reports that the Lagos State Government has promised to deliver many roads completed this year in fulfillment of its electioneering.
It started the construction of overhead bridges and the rehabilitation of roads along the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway in 2017.
Also, it commenced the construction of the 1.4 km flyover at Pen Cinema in Agege area in early January with a promise to complete it by October.
The bridge, stretching from Agege to end at the Old Abeokuta Road, will on inauguration, reduce traffic congestion usually experienced along the axis.
NAN observes that due to this project, movements of motorists along the axis have been partially restricted, with diversions to other routes.
According to Olakpe, the residents of the state are experiencing traffic congestions at present because of the state government’s ongoing efforts to improve the road networks in the state.
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“Building of bridges like the one that will link the Agege- Pen Cinema area with the Old Agege-Abeokuta Motor Road and the 10-lane structure that will link the International Airport Road with Oshodi are ongoing simultaneously.
“There are constrictions now, but they will soon ease up in the next few months when the constructions are concluded.
“There can be no gain without pain; the pain today will bring profit tomorrow, we should be encouraging Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to keep the flag flying,’’ the LASTMA boss said.
He said that close to 100 LASTMA officials were deployed in Agege corridors to monitor vehicular traffic.
“At Pen Cinema for instance, LASTMA has set up a special task force whose officials are accessible and visible to ease the gridlocks and ensure seamless traffic flows,’’ he said.
Olakpe advised commercial bus drivers to shun reckless driving and avoid driving against traffic as a result of the gridlocks.
According to him, the LASTMA officials are facing lack of professionalism and unruly behaviours from many commercial drivers.
The LASTMA boss said that many of the commercial bus drivers were hit-and-run alleging that some of them were also fond of knocking down LASTMA personnel while on duty.
He also said that commercial motorists often insult and assault LASTMA officials on duty.
Olakpe advised motorists to assist the close to 4,000 LASTMA officials in the state to maintain orderliness and ensure free flow of traffic at any point in time at various corridors.
