Lagos deploys 500 LASTMA officers ahead of Tinubu’s visit

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to deploy 500 additional personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority across major roads and critical corridors ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled visit to the state on April 8 and 9.

The move, according to officials, is aimed at ensuring smooth traffic flow, heightened security, and minimal disruption to residents during the two-day visit, which will see the president inaugurate several key infrastructure projects.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state is working closely with federal and local agencies to ensure seamless coordination.

He noted that traffic management and logistics are being carefully planned to maintain order across the city, especially along routes connected to project commissioning sites.

“We are working closely with federal and state agencies to ensure that all arrangements for the President’s visit are seamless, secure and befitting of the occasion,” Omotoso said, while urging residents to comply with traffic advisories that will be announced ahead of the visit.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, also confirmed that the additional officers would be strategically deployed to manage vehicular movement and reduce inconvenience for commuters.

He explained that the personnel would be stationed along major roads and project corridors, forming part of a broader inter-agency strategy to ensure the smooth execution of the visit.

Traffic control plan and commuter advisory

Bakare-Oki said LASTMA would intensify monitoring and enforcement across affected routes, with temporary diversions expected during the president’s stay.

While specific routes have yet to be officially announced, he assured residents that alternative traffic arrangements would be communicated in advance to allow for proper planning.

Motorists were advised to cooperate with traffic officers and adhere strictly to directives during the period, as authorities aim to prevent gridlock in key areas of the state.

The deployment underscores the scale of preparation ahead of the high-profile visit, particularly in a city like Lagos where traffic congestion remains a daily challenge.

Projects set for inauguration

During the visit, Tinubu is expected to commission several major projects executed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, reflecting ongoing investments in infrastructure and public services.

Among them is the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, a 5.04-kilometre project designed to ease traffic congestion across key areas including Ojota, Maryland, Mende, Opebi, and Allen within the Ikeja axis. The project, originally conceived over two decades ago during Tinubu’s tenure as governor, was revived and flagged off in 2022.

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Other projects include the Lagos State Geographic Information Service Building and the Alausa Multi-Agency Complex in Ikeja, which is expected to improve public service delivery by housing multiple government agencies in a single integrated facility.

Also on the list is the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, a major education project that now accommodates about 20,000 students. The facility has undergone extensive upgrades, including new classroom blocks, laboratories, ICT hubs, sports facilities, and inclusive infrastructure for persons with disabilities.

In addition, the Mid-Level Agro-Produce Hub in Abijo, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, will be inaugurated as part of efforts to strengthen food systems and agricultural logistics in the state.

Omotoso said the projects reflect the administration’s broader vision of building a more inclusive, efficient, and globally competitive Lagos, adding that the president’s visit highlights the importance of continuity and collaboration between federal and state governments.

Residents have been urged to support the arrangements, with officials emphasising that cooperation will be critical to ensuring a smooth and successful visit.