LASTMA launches major festive season crackdown to curb traffic gridlock

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced a comprehensive, intelligence-based traffic management plan to ensure smoother movement and public safety across the state during the festive period.

In a statement, spokesman, Adebayo Taofiq, noted that the Yuletide season typically sees a sharp rise in traffic due to concerts, carnivals, parties, and religious gatherings.

To manage this increase, LASTMA has heightened its readiness by deploying more officers, enhancing surveillance, and maintaining 24/7 monitoring of major roads and event zones.

The agency’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, advised event centers, clubs, and lounges to manage patron traffic and parking internally.

He warned that any spillover causing road obstructions would face strict penalties, as it violates residents’ right to free movement.

Bakare-Oki also called on market leaders and traders to keep walkways and roads clear of goods, noting that encroachment pushes pedestrians into traffic, raising accident risks and worsening congestion.

LASTMA urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, avoid driving under the influence, and obey speed limits.

The authority emphasized that its teams will be vigilant in enforcing laws against illegal parking, obstruction, speeding, and impaired driving throughout the holidays and beyond.

The agency appealed for public cooperation, patience, and adherence to traffic rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable festive season for all.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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