LIVE UPDATES: LAGOS COMMISSIONER APPLAUDS TRAFFIC RADIO FOR INNOVATIVE MONITORING MODEL

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, has commissioned the Lagos Traffic Radio, LTR, motorcycles introduced to enhance live reporting of traffic situation across the State, describing the initiative as very symbolic and evidence of the creative thinking ability of the management of the broadcast outfit. 

Omotoso, who spoke at the premises of Lagos Traffic Radio on Tuesday, added that launch was not just about the motorcycles but the bigger picture and the drive to improve on the status quo of traffic management in the State. 

He expressed the hope that the Radio Station will, in no distant future, embrace an advanced technologically-driven approach to traffic information dissemination like the use of drones in giving real-time traffic updates. 

Promising that any idea that will complement the first pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, which is Traffic Management and Transportation, would be embraced by the State Government, the Commissioner described LTR as a station that is alive to its responsibilities, just as he charged the management not to rest on its oars but come up with more initiatives that will ease traffic gridlock across Lagos. 

Also speaking at the event, the General Manager of the Station, Mr. Tayo Akanle explained that the initiative of Traffic Radio Live Updates Motorcycles was conceived to provide real-time updates on road accidents along major highways across the State, maintaining that the idea will change the travel experience of commuters as they go about their daily activities. 

He added that the acquisition of the motorcycles would enhance the operations of the station by enabling its reporters to arrive timely at incident spots to provide on-the-spot, live and accurate reports of happenings. 

“These reports would assist commuters to make informed decisions, especially in knowing the root cause of traffic gridlock they are experiencing at a particular time. The reports disseminated by these motorcycle-users would now be more professional, comprehensive, real-time and accurate, as it would be handled by trained journalists from the station,” Akanle stated. 

The General Manager informed that the event marks a clear departure from the past where news reporters from the radio station arrived late at incident spots, thereby hindering the provision of live and accurate reports for commuters. 

Expressing belief that the live reporting of incidents will serve as a major boost to the delivery of information on traffic flow and available alternate routes to reduce gridlock on our highways, Akanle said that the pilot scheme of the initiative is the contribution of Lagos Traffic Radio to the actualisation of the Traffic Management and Transportation component of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, which focuses on socio-economic development and empowerment opportunities for all residents in Lagos State. 

He revealed that Mr. Governor approved the initiative for key locations across the State, especially for the coverage of traffic situations  along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ikorodu Road. 

In his contribution at the ceremony, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olajide Oduyoye said that the initiative will improve the traffic situation and complement efforts of LASTMA officers and other stakeholders responsible for maintenance of sanity on roads. 

He said while LASTMA manages traffic movement, Lagos Traffic Radio will be available to provide the needed traffic information to the general public, stressing that the two agencies are working together to ease the traffic situation in Lagos State. 

Oduyoye stated that the initiative will make the job of LASTMA officers easier than it had been, saying that the benchmark of Lagos State is to take traffic monitoring to the sky with the use of latest traffic monitoring devices. 

The Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Lagos State, Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide, who was represented at the event by Olabisi Sonusi, described the timing of the initiative as very apt, coming up during the last four months of the year. 

“The initiative of Live Report Motorcycles will make movement to the scene of incidents easier and will aid motorists in making informed decisions about their journey,” he stated.