Inside Lagos’ Holiday Traffic War Plan
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
Detty December and the Cost of Congestion
END-of-year celebrations have become a defining feature of Lagos life, but they come with a heavy cost. Traffic congestion during the yuletide season routinely paralyses the city, draining economic productivity and testing the patience of millions.
With this reality in mind, LASTMA has unveiled what officials describe as a comprehensive traffic management and enforcement operation to curb chaos on Lagos roads.
Scaling Up for the Season
According to LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the festive season produces an unusual concentration of traffic triggers—religious events, concerts, markets and nightlife—all competing for limited road space.
To counter this, the agency has boosted operational readiness by deploying additional officers, upgrading surveillance systems and activating 24-hour monitoring of major routes and commercial districts.
Enforcement Beyond the Motorist
LASTMA’s warnings extend beyond drivers. Event centres and entertainment venues have been instructed to manage internal traffic and parking, while traders have been cautioned against turning public roads into makeshift stalls.
Bakare-Oki said vehicles obstructing traffic due to poor planning or illegal parking would be removed, stressing that enforcement would be “decisive and uncompromising.”
Towing Capacity and Emergency Response
To ensure rapid response to breakdowns and obstructions, LASTMA has stationed tow trucks of varying capacities across the city. Particular attention is being paid to corridors notorious for festive gridlock, including Lekki–Ajah.
The agency’s “Night Gang Duty” has also been activated to regulate late-night traffic, a period when enforcement typically weakens and violations spike.
Cooperation as the Missing Link
LASTMA emphasised that enforcement alone cannot solve Lagos’ traffic crisis. Motorists were urged to cooperate with officers, obey traffic regulations and report emergencies via the agency’s toll-free hotline. Officials say only collective compliance can prevent the yuletide season from degenerating into total gridlock.
