LASTMA strengthens workforce with emotional management, time efficiency training

Stanley Ihedigbo

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has commenced a comprehensive in-house training programme for its senior officers, focusing on emotional management, professional etiquette and time management as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery across Lagos.

The initiative underscores the agency’s commitment to institutional excellence and its recognition of the critical role that discipline, emotional intelligence and effective time utilisation play in modern public service.

Designed as a strategic intervention, the training programme aims to strengthen the capacity of senior officers by instilling high standards of conduct, improving interpersonal relations and promoting a culture of professionalism within the Authority.

According to the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, participants are being equipped with essential knowledge on professional etiquette, including maintaining courteous relationships with the public, adhering strictly to established procedures and consistently projecting a positive institutional image in the course of duty.

The training also places strong emphasis on emotional management, particularly in high-pressure situations that characterise traffic operations in a bustling metropolis like Lagos. Officers are being guided on how to remain calm, exercise restraint and engage constructively with motorists and other road users.

In addition, a dedicated module on time management is designed to enhance productivity by helping officers prioritise tasks, optimise workflow and make efficient use of available resources.

With Lagos’ complex and often unpredictable traffic conditions, effective time management is considered crucial to ensuring prompt and coordinated responses.

Speaking on the initiative, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, emphasised that the agency’s success depends largely on the professionalism, discipline and emotional stability of its personnel.

He noted that traffic management goes beyond controlling vehicular movement, stressing that officers must uphold the highest standards of public service to build trust and sustain the credibility of the organisation.

According to him, the training is also intended to promote punctuality, accountability and an organised workflow among senior officers, who are expected to serve as role models within the agency.

Participants are further exposed to practical exercises and real-life case studies illustrating the consequences of poor time management and unprofessional conduct, thereby encouraging the adoption of best practices in daily operations.

Beyond the core modules, the programme also covers critical areas such as cyber security, specialised report writing, presentation skills, understanding customer behaviour, positive threat management and the effective use of communication radio systems.

The capacity-building initiative represents a deliberate investment in human capital development and aligns with global best practices in traffic management and public administration.

As the training progresses, senior officers are expected to cascade the knowledge gained to their respective teams, ensuring a broader institutional impact and fostering a more disciplined, responsive and efficient workforce within LASTMA.

The programme is expected to ultimately improve coordination, enhance public interaction and strengthen the agency’s overall service delivery across Lagos State.