Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the Acting General Manager/CEO of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), is a proactive person with cooperative approach brewed for efficient solutions in critical times.
In an era where agility and adaptability are crucial, someone with Bakare-Oki’s progressive mindset is needed to position things for success in the face of evolving social and economic landscapes today. He has the wealth of experience, a proven track record, and a vision for transformative development which he is using to run LASTMA today.
As a leader, Bakare-Oki doesn’t joke with talent development and team collaboration. His previous roles at the Lagos State Ministry of Transport have seen him cultivate high-performing teams with a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
This emphasis on human capital is pivotal for LASTMA, ensuring that it can effectively navigate the challenges of chaotic traffic through a robust traffic management system in an ever-changing and growing Lagos economy.
Beyond his professional acumen, Bakare-Oki is known for his discipline, civic engagement and commitment to corporate responsibility. This commitment to corporate governance issues not only fosters trust but also aligns with LASTMA’s mission to uphold the highest standards of responsibility.
The mission of Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, as the Acting General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA .centers on the task of elevating LASTMA’s importance and efficiency on a bigger scale and in promoting greater understanding between the traffic management agency and the motoring public, which its serves for socioeconomic prosperity in the state. His secret to success, however, lies not only on this distinctive goal, but in on his unique approach to shaping traffic management in the state.
It takes into account the perspectives, and the concerns of the road users so the agency can further improve in its service delivery, while at the same time, taking into account the broader public perspective issue of discipline within the ranks of personnel at LASTMA itself and finding ways to marry them. As a result of these, he raises the awareness of the public to the existence of various windows through which complaints can be channeled to LASTMA office for prompt action.
And this is a unique way that allows for policy to move forward with a committed set of stakeholders,
With the way he brews traffic solution and enforce discipline, the LASTMA General manager has justified Governor Sanwo-Olu’s confidence in his appointment by rising up to the occasion, while bringing his wealth of experience to take the Agency to greater heights.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on November 23, 2023, approved the appointment of Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, as the Acting General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA.
At that time, a statement by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, noted that “the appointment of Bakare-Oki is for better performance, eradicating incidences of misdemeanours among staff and continued efficient/effective traffic management on Lagos roads.”
Bakare-Oki joined the Lagos State Public Service on April 25, 2000, and rose through the ranks over the years to the post of Deputy Director, Logistics and Engineering Department of LASTMA, before his new appointment as General Manager.
He holds a Masters’s Degree in Transportation Planning and Management from the University of Lagos and has attended several capacity-building programmes on inter-modal traffic management systems locally and internationally.
Recently, five officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been dismissed while two others were reprimanded by the Personnel Management Board by the Lagos State Civil Service Commission (CSC).
According to a press statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed that every recommendation made by the Personnel Management Board on the 7 indicted Lastma officials during their meeting on Tuesday, 19th of August, 2023 was ratified by the Lagos State Civil Service Commission.
Mr. Adebayo said, “While Five LASTMA officials indicted for corruption received letters of Termination of appointment’, the remaining two received letters of ‘Reprimand’ for absence from duty posts without leave”.
Additionally, Mr. Bakare- Oki has stated that the disciplinary action taken was in line with the extant rules as guided by the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations. He maintained that the Agency would only get better if and when members of the public shared their experiences, including positive ones, and provided evidence where applicable of perceived misdemeanours. He implored road users in Lagos to always comply with the State Traffic Law in order not to run foul of the law, which would attract penalties as stated in the law.
Listen to him, “This is necessary for all of us to promote a Greater Lagos for the benefit of all and the realization of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s objectives in the First Pillar of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda (Traffic Management and Transportation)”.
“We wish to add by informing well-meaning and concerned Lagos residents and the motoring public that we have various windows through which complaints can be channelled for prompt action. He assured that such complaints shall be investigated dispassionately with despatch.
While enjoining every motoring public to abide by the Lagos State Transportation Sector Reform Law 2018, Bakare Oki disclosed that cases against the remaining 14 indicted LASTMA Officials are undergoing additional administrative review.
The agency is also working to address the issue of indiscriminate parking along the roads, especially by tankers in some parts of Lagos metropolis. Areas leading to Apapa ports, especially along 2nd Rainbow down to Mile 2 Bridge, Oshodi -Apapa Expressway are notorious for indiscriminate parking by tanker drivers.
This necessitates some enforcement operations. According to Mr. Peter Gbejemede (LASTMA Director of Operations), the enforcement exercise is in accordance with the Law and would be continuous until zero tolerance is achieved on illegal/ indiscriminate parking across the State.
Mr Bakare-Oki‘s appointment as the CEO of LASTMA is a strategic move toward ushering in a new era of leadership, inclusivity, and discipline in managing traffic in Lagos.
His blend of academic excellence, extensive experience, commitment to transparency, innovative thinking, and emphasis on talent development makes him the perfect fit for steering LASTMA towards greater heights and deliver value to the people of Lagos state.
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