Photo Source: Starconnect
As the construction works on Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and the flyover bridge at Agege -Pen Cinema in Lagos State advance, Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) Mr. Chris Olakpe has urged motorists in the state especially in the affected areas to show discipline.
Olakpe, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) during a chat with African Business Travel News at the Oshodi Headquarters of LASTMA explained that the state traffic management agency has laid many plans to avoid traffic gridlocks as the ongoing construction works in Agege pen Cinema and Lagos –Abeokuta Expressway progress advance.
He noted that the recent gridlock experienced in the area was caused by failure of some motorists to show discipline.
“We all know that when construction works are going on in a particular place there would be space constraints which may create bottle neck if we do not show enough discipline while attempting to move around. Motorists should show discipline, including lane discipline while driving in the areas. A situation where motorists drive against traffic would definitely create traffic jam. But if we all abide by the traffic rules in the area we would all go on time without creating unnecessary traffic bottleneck,” Olakpe explained.
Disclosing that LASTMA has a working traffic management template with the contractors handling the two projects in the state, the CEO said to ensure that the template achieves desired results, traffic rules must seen to be enforced. To achieve this, he said over 120 traffic enforcement officers from LASTMA to be supported by other officials from other law enforcement agencies in the state would deplore to Agege Pen Cinema and Lagos –Abeokuta Expressway.
“Because of the magnitude of ongoing works and the volume of traffic flow in the affected areas, we have traffic management templates with the contractors handling the projects. The templates were working well until some motorists decided not to show discipline on the road. They drove on ‘one way’ and on the BRT corridors under construction; thereby causing traffic bottle necks leading to traffic gridlocks, the LASTMA boss added.
Promising a multi dimension approach to resolve the one way issue, Olakpe said, “ apart from over 120 LASTMA traffic law enforcement officers deplored officials of Lagos State Environment Sanitation Task Force would also be deplored to ensure strict enforcement of traffic rules in the areas”.
He added that street traders who obstruct free flow of the traffic in the affected areas have been advised in their own interest to move away from such locations or prepare to face the full wrath of the law.
Olakpe however, pleaded with residents of the state to endure any hardship the ongoing construction works in the state may impose on them while the constructions last, saying, the gains of the projects when completed would outweigh any pain suffered now.
“We have instructed street traders to move away from anywhere near the corridors. We also want to plead with residents of the areas where constructions are ongoing to endure any hardship that comes with it, because the gains on the long run would be far greater that any pain suffered today,” he concluded.
