Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have applauded Lagos Traffic Radio, LTR for its leadership role in the delivery of travel advisory for easy mobility of motorists across Lagos Metropolis.
The duo spoke as the Lead Speaker and Special Guest of Honour respectively at the 10th Anniversary Colloquium of the Lagos Traffic Radio, LTR held in Lagos with the Theme: “Integrated Transport System As a Lifeline for Economic Growth”.
Mr. Fashola submitted that integrating traffic education into school curriculum in Nigeria is essential to raise a generation of law-abiding drivers, thereby changing the narratives of traffic offences in the Country.
The Minister, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Hakeem Bello, said such integration was important for traffic management, particularly in Lagos where the narratives of traffic congestion is a critical factor, given the State’s status as the economic hub of the Country.
“I recommend that the Government challenges the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation to introduce traffic education into the school curriculum, drawn from the Highway Code and the Traffic Law in primary, secondary and tertiary schools in order to raise knowledgeable drivers that will obey traffic laws.
“It is my belief that if this is properly implemented, Lagos State would have produced a new generation of motorists who are more educated and aware of their rights and duties on our motorways.,
While Speaking to the Theme of the Colloquium, the Minister mentioned that integrated transport system plays a central economic role “as a source of opportunities for investment, employment, businesses, and the value chain in the transport network.”
In his speech, Lagos State Governor, Mr.BabajideSanwo-Olu described the creation of LagosTrafficRadio as “a noble idea” which has proven its relevance in the past 10 years and has maintained a noble status as a “leader in its area of competence.”
The Governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso said the theme of the colloquium is apt and speaks directly to the goal his aadministrationwhich dwells on working strategically to achieve under the Transportation Management pillar of the Six Pillar T.H.E.M.E.S DevelopmentalAgenda.
“Our objective under this pillar is to transform the transportation system through an intermodal system that is efficient, safe and comfortable and befitting of a mega city like Lagos,”
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended LagosTrafficRadio for its commitment and initiatives, which according to him, “have brought new meaning to RadioBroadcast not only in Nigeria, but in the African Continent.
In a Welcome Address, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Olusina Thorpe, said the Theme of the Colloquium “could not have come at a better time, considering the humongous challenges confronting the transport sector of thecountry.
“As we all know, transportation is the wheel of progress which drives other sectors of the economy to the point of destination. It is a sector that brightens our work when it is fully harnessed”.
In his remark, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, said integration in Lagos was important, given the prevailing and projected population explosion in the State.
According to him, among the parameters of integration, Information and Time-Table integration remain key, mentioning LagosTrafficRadio as living strategically to maintain the parameters.
One of the Panelists, a former Commissioner of Transportation, Lagos State, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, said integrating traffic education into school curriculum, as submitted by Mr. Fashola, could be driven by deployment of traffic stakeholders as teachers to get pupils enlightened on traffic education.
In her submissions, the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, said the subject of integration into the transport system was dear to Lagos, given the critical demand of mobility “in an effective and efficient way.
She said it was important to have educated people who understand the ramifications and consequences of traffic offences for improved transport experience in the State.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards of excellence to thirteen individuals, including Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. BabatundeFashola, SAN, and Lagos State Governor, Mr. BabajideSanwo-Olu for their exemplary and visionary roles and support to the growth of Lagos Traffic Radio.