Ayodele Olalere
In a bid to tackle the perennial traffic gridlock around Apapa axis, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved the constitution of a Special Traffic Management and Enforcement Compliance Team to resolve the traffic gridlock in and around Apapa.
Members of the team are Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Toyin Fayinka, General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA, Olajide Oduyoye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Sola Giwa and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Security Intelligence, Ayodeji Laurent
According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, the Special Traffic Management & Enforcement Compliance Team is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring zero tolerance of traffic offenders and a seamless traffic management system specifically designed to restore sanity in and around Apapa and create a cohesive system that would aid the resurgence of business activities and ensure that residents live in a conducive environment devoid of traffic-induced stress.
The team is expected to cover areas such as Ikorodu Road to Oshodi – Mile 2 – Apapa, Ikorodu Road – Funsho Williams Avenue (Surulere) – Alaka – Iganmu – SIFAX – Ijora 7up – Apapa, and Surulere – Alaka – Eko Bridge – Ijora Olopa – Ijora 7up – Apapa.
“With the development, it is expected that traffic within Apapa and its environs will be better managed by a team of dedicated LASTMA, FRSC, POLICE and Intelligence service Officers,” Omotoso said.
Policemen from Area ‘B’ Police Command have been directed to tentatively provide security back-up for the team, pending the announcement of the new security architecture by the state government.
It is recalled Governor Sanwo-Olu had, on December 28, 2020, visited Apapa and announced the state has take over traffic management from the Presidential Task Team on the decongestion of Apapa gridlock.
“The head of the new Special Traffic Management & Enforcement Compliance Team, Hon. Toyin Fayinka (Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation) and other members of the team are expected to work with the designated team of the Inspector-General of Police and collaborate with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu and other members of Law Enforcement Agencies in and around Apapa to ensure the success of the team’s assignment.”
