The Lagos State Government has announced the deployment of 500 additional personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to major roads and critical corridors across the state ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled visit on April 8 and 9.
The move, according to the state government, is aimed at ensuring smooth traffic flow, adequate security, and minimal disruption to residents during the President’s two-day stay in Lagos for the inauguration of key infrastructure projects executed by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said the state was working in close collaboration with both federal and state agencies to ensure seamless arrangements for the visit.
He explained that comprehensive plans had been put in place to coordinate security, logistics, and traffic management across affected routes.
“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.
He added that all measures were being carefully coordinated to reduce interruptions to daily activities while guaranteeing the safety and comfort of participants and residents.
Omotoso appealed to Lagos residents to cooperate fully with the authorities by complying with all traffic advisories and security directives that would be issued ahead of the visit.
“Your understanding and support are essential to the success of this important event,” he stated.
Also speaking, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed that the agency had finalised plans to position the additional officers across strategic routes and project corridors to effectively manage vehicular movement.
According to him, the deployment forms part of a broader inter-agency traffic control strategy designed to support the smooth conduct of the state visit and the commissioning ceremonies.
Bakare-Oki said LASTMA would intensify monitoring and enforcement on roads expected to witness heavy traffic during the visit, while alternative traffic arrangements would be communicated to the public in due course.
He further urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officers and obey any temporary diversions introduced during the two-day exercise.
President Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several landmark projects delivered by the Sanwo-Olu/Obafemi Hamzat administration.
The projects include the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Geographic Information Service Building, the Alausa Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, and the Mid-Level Agro-Produce Hub located in Abijo, Ibeju-Lekki, along the Lekki-Epe Motorway.
Omotoso described the projects as evidence of the administration’s strategic investment in transportation, infrastructure, education, and public sector development.
“These projects have been carefully conceived and executed to address the growing needs of our population, ease mobility, stimulate economic activities, and enhance social welfare,” he said.
He noted that the projects reflect the state government’s commitment to building a Greater Lagos that is inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive.
On the Tolu Schools Complex, Omotoso said the facility in Ajegunle accommodates 36 public schools, comprising 31 secondary schools and five primary schools, spread across approximately 11.73 hectares in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.
He revealed that the complex, which serves about 20,000 pupils, had undergone a major transformation after years of dilapidation.
According to him, 13 new classroom blocks and 24 school buildings were constructed, helping to reduce the student-to-classroom ratio from 70:1 to 50:1.
He added that the facility now includes an ICT hub, a central laboratory, sports facilities, a health centre, solar-powered systems, and inclusive structures designed for persons living with disabilities.
Speaking on the Alausa Multi-Agency Complex, the commissioner said the facility was built to improve service delivery by bringing several government agencies under one integrated environment within the administrative hub of Ikeja.
The complex, he said, sits on 2.01 hectares of land and consists of four blocks, a penthouse for meetings and conferences, and parking space capable of accommodating 300 vehicles.
On the Opebi-Ojota Link Bridge, Omotoso said the 5.04-kilometre project was conceived to tackle long-standing traffic challenges affecting Ojota, Maryland, Mende, Opebi, and Allen within the Ikeja metropolitan area.
He noted that the project was originally conceived over 20 years ago during Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State and was later revived and officially flagged off by Governor Sanwo-Olu in January 2022.
Omotoso said the President’s visit further highlights the strong partnership between the Federal Government and Lagos State, as well as the importance of continuity in governance.
Also present at the briefing were the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, the Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Dr Adekunle Olayinka, and Mr Femi Daramola.
In his closing remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, urged residents to comply with instructions issued by LASTMA officers throughout the duration of the visit.
Lagos Deploys 500 Additional LASTMA Officers Ahead of Tinubu’s Two-Day Visit
