According to Nivo News, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will commence round-the-clock traffic operations starting Thursday, October 23, as part of efforts to ease congestion and ensure safer roads during the Ember months.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, made this known during the LASTMA Ember Months Stakeholders Forum held on Tuesday in Lagos. The event, themed “Safer Roads, Safe Lives… LASTMA Cares,” brought together key stakeholders including security agencies, transport unions, and school representatives.

Giwa revealed that the Night Rapid Response Gang of LASTMA had been reactivated to swiftly attend to vehicle breakdowns, road crashes, and obstructions to minimize disruptions across major corridors. He noted that the 24-hour operations would particularly target high-traffic areas as residents prepare for the year-end festivities.

“This is not the first time we are implementing this initiative. We did it last December, but this year we’re starting early from October to January as part of our proactive measures,” Giwa explained.

He further stated that the 2025 Ember months operation will feature multi-layered plans focused on advocacy, public sensitization, compliance enforcement, e-enforcement, field deployment, and inter-agency collaboration. According to him, the annual campaign underscores the shared commitment to a safer, saner, and smarter Lagos.

Giwa also highlighted the economic importance of LASTMA’s activities, noting that a single officer helps save about ₦85 million in man-hour losses annually. “When multiplied by our workforce, this translates to over ₦430 billion in economic value every year, contributing significantly to Lagos’ Gross Domestic Product of about ₦41 trillion,” he said. “Our officers are not just traffic managers but economic stabilizers and protectors of human lives.”

In his remarks, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, affirmed the agency’s readiness for the 24-hour operation, emphasizing that necessary logistics and personnel have been deployed across the state. He noted that advocacy campaigns would also continue through social media platforms and school outreach programmes to promote traffic discipline among residents.

The forum was attended by representatives of the Nigerian Army, Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, transport unions, and schoolchildren, with participants pledging support for the initiative aimed at ensuring safer roads during the festive period.