Lagos Permanent Secretary Inducted as LASTMA Special Traffic Mayor

LAGOS – In a strategic move to bolster the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has formally decorated the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, ESV Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu, as a Special Traffic Mayor.

​The decoration ceremony, which took place in the Permanent Secretary’s office on Wednesday, was led by the Team Lead of the Traffic Advocacy and Special Mayor Department of LASTMA, Mr. Jimmy Awoyemi. The event was witnessed by senior directors of the Ministry and top officials from the traffic management agency.

​The Special Traffic Mayor (STM) initiative is a voluntary scheme designed to enlist high-ranking professionals and public servants as ambassadors of road discipline. During the induction, Mr. Awoyemi emphasized that the role is pivotal in promoting voluntary compliance with traffic laws. He noted that Mayors are expected to use their influence to sensitize the public, assist in managing traffic during emergencies, and serve as a bridge between the citizenry and LASTMA..

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​Responding to the honor, ESV Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu expressed profound appreciation for the initiative, describing it as a “thoughtful and necessary” strategy for a megacity like Lagos. He commended the leadership of the Ministry of Transportation and the management of LASTMA for their tireless efforts in ensuring orderliness on the roads.

​”Traffic management is a collective responsibility that extends beyond the men in uniform,” Wasiu stated. “I am committed to carrying out this duty to the best of my ability, ensuring that we reduce infractions and foster a culture of smooth, encumbrance-free movement for all Lagosians.”

​He further highlighted that his new role would focus on advocating for the reduction of traffic bottlenecks, which would, in turn, enhance productivity across the metropolis..

​This induction follows the Lagos State Government’s recent push to rebrand and expand the Special Traffic Mayor program, aiming to integrate senior civil servants and media executives into the state’s transportation management framework to ensure a more efficient flow of traffic within the Lagos metropolis.