The need for a sustained and mutually beneficial relationship between the academia and the government has been stressed. Stressing this need yesterday was the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson during the courtesy call on him by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the University of Lagos. The Commissioner added that the town and the gown should work together to ensure that constant development and growth in all sectors of economy are regularly upgraded for the benefit of the citizenry, while promising to see to the possibility of a beneficial collaboration in the area of training for the professionals in the Ministry. Mr. Ladi Lawanson also assured the visiting academics of the state government’s readiness to continually enlighten the citizenry on the need to obey the provisions of the extant traffic laws towards engendering their buy-in so as to involve them in the enforcement of the laws for the benefit and wellbeing of all. Leader of the team, Professor Leke Oduwaye, congratulated the Honourable Commissioner on his appointment and promised a mutually beneficial relationship between the Department and the Ministry in all areas of the ministry’s responsibilities. Others on the courtesy call team were Professor Taibat Lawanson, the Honourable Commissioner’s spouse, as well as Drs. Muyiwa Agunbiade, Victor Onifade, Femi Olajide among others. Meanwhile, the newly sworn in Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos state, Mr. Oladipupo Lawanson has appealed for citizens’ participation in the enforcement of the State’s Traffic Laws. He made the appeal in a chat with newsmen about his vision for transportation sector of the state. He opined that since the citizens are partners in progress with the state government, the administration and obedience of the Traffic Laws should also be of concern to them, stressing that continual feedback from them is essential towards having gridlock-free traffic in the state. Lawanson explained that the Ministry of Transportation as the agency of government saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the obedience of all laws relating to the transport sector in addition to coordinating the plans, programmes and policies of government on traffic matters can be better managed with the buy-in of her citizens. The Commissioner observed further that the provisions of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012, which came into effect on August 2, 2012, has been and is being flagrantly disobeyed with impunity by all and sundry and warned that this would no longer be tolerated. He said the Citizens has role in traffic management can be felt when they obey the Traffic Laws and be the whistle blowers of offenders and violators of relevant laws through various media especially through the use of the social media.]]>
