𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

In a solemn demonstration of leadership and solidarity, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, paid a courtesy and condolence visit to the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, following the tragic loss of Officer Rasaki Tajudeen at the Badagry Roundabout.

The Chairman was received by the General Manager alongside LASTMA’s Director of Operations, Mr. Gbejemede Emmanuel Peter, in what was both a moment of mourning and a reaffirmation of inter-agency cooperation toward improved road safety.

Honouring a Fallen Officer

During the visit, Hon. Hunpe described the late officer as a dedicated public servant who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. He noted that traffic officers operate daily under demanding and sometimes hazardous conditions to ensure order and safety for road users.

He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the entire LASTMA workforce, emphasizing that the loss resonates beyond the agency and is deeply felt across Badagry and Lagos State. The Chairman further assured that the Local Government would personally reach out to the family of the deceased officer, as well as others affected by the accident, to provide necessary support during this difficult period.

Strategic Reorganisation of Badagry Roundabout

Beyond the condolence message, the visit also provided an opportunity for the Chairman to outline his administration’s comprehensive reform plan for the ongoing reorganisation of the Badagry Roundabout—one of the busiest gateway corridors in Lagos State.

Hon. Hunpe explained that the exercise forms part of a structured urban mobility and public safety framework designed to address persistent congestion, regulate commercial transport activities, eliminate indiscriminate roadside trading, and restore lasting order within the axis.

“These reforms go beyond temporary measures,” he stated. “They involve environmental redesign, clear traffic demarcations, designated loading garages, and the systematic relocation of trading activities currently obstructing visibility and traffic flow.”

The Chairman emphasized that the objective is not merely to decongest traffic, but to prevent avoidable incidents, enhance visibility, improve pedestrian safety, and create a safer working environment for traffic officers and other enforcement personnel.

Collaboration as the Cornerstone of Reform

Hon. Hunpe stressed that effective traffic management is a shared responsibility. While acknowledging LASTMA’s frontline role in traffic regulation, enforcement, and emergency response, he underscored the need for sustained collaboration among the Local Government, LASTMA, the Nigeria Police, transport unions, market associations, and community stakeholders.

According to him, the long-term success of the reorganisation depends on compliance, behavioural change, and consistent enforcement backed by structural improvements.

In his response, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed appreciation for the Chairman’s visit, describing it as a mark of responsible and compassionate leadership. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working closely with Badagry Local Government to ensure safer traffic operations, improved compliance, and sustained order at the Roundabout and surrounding corridors.

A Commitment to Safer Roads

Hon. Hunpe concluded by reaffirming his administration’s dedication to providing both structural and policy support to complement LASTMA’s operations. He emphasized that safeguarding the lives of road users and enforcement officers remains a top priority.

Through strategic urban planning, inter-agency collaboration, and safety-driven reforms, Badagry Local Government continues to pursue a coordinated approach aimed at preventing future tragedies and establishing a safer, more organised traffic environment for residents and visitors alike.