ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has announced plans to introduce a short code that will allow residents, particularly motorists, to interact with the agency and provide real-time traffic information.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.
“The agency is working on ensuring that we get a short code instead of the long digit that is currently running.
“In the next two to three weeks, our call centre will come up with a short code that will be free. We have done all necessary details; we are just waiting for the final approval from the network provider.
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“This is where Lagos residents, especially the motoring public, can engage us and give us information,” he said.
He explained that necessary equipment and infrastructure are currently being put in place to launch the short code service.
According to him, residents will be able to report issues such as officers’ conduct on duty, emergencies, traffic congestion updates, feedback, and other relevant concerns.
Bakare-Oki also noted that the agency’s digital call centre currently operates with 10 responders and can attend to residents in Yoruba, English, and other local languages.
He further highlighted the strong collaboration between LASTMA and other emergency response agencies, including the Lagos State Ambulance Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.
“There is an inter-agency collaboration that is top-notch, and that is how we are able to address emergency and traffic issues in the state,” he said.
He disclosed that the agency received nearly 300 calls between January and March but admitted there had been a decline due to ongoing system integration of the short code.
“The system has been experiencing downtime because of the integration.
“We give the assurance that in the next two to three weeks, we will be back on board strong and with better service delivery to Lagos residents,” he said.
(NAN)