The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has urged members of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency to adopt digital methods in the management of traffic across the state.
Salako-Oyedele disclosed this during her address at a capacity-building training for senior officers of TRACE held at the Obas Complex in Okemosan, Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday.
While speaking on the theme of the training tagged ‘Capacity Building for Effective Data Collection and Protection Beyond Compliance,’ the deputy governor stressed that the adoption of digital platforms would aid real-time reporting on traffic situations, simplify the traffic management process and enhance traffic data collection.
She added that the traffic officials not only foster efficient traffic situations but also contribute to the economic growth of the state.
She said, “In addition to keeping the road safe, your work supports the economy of the state by ensuring that people and goods move efficiently across the nooks and crannies of the state. This conference is an opportunity to reflect on past achievements, recognise gaps, and chart a new course for greater efficiency and impact. We must focus on aligning our system with modern realities. This includes embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and building trust with the public.
“Effective traffic management in today’s world requires more than enforcing compliance. It requires data-driven strategies. Traffic data collection is a cornerstone of modern road safety management, enabling evidence-based policy-making resource allocation and long-term planning.
“I challenge TRACE to lead in innovation. Technology provides a wealth of opportunities to redefine traffic management and data collection. You can collaborate with technology companies for innovative solutions, such as digital reporting platforms. I want you to look into the possibility of providing mobile apps that allow citizens to report traffic incidents in real-time.”
In his remarks, the Ogun State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, stressed that the conference is an indication of the state government’s commitment to building the capacity of its workforce.
He lauded the TRACE officials for their role in ensuring the safety of roads across Ogun State.
Onasanya said, “This conference serves as an excellent example of the government’s commitment to grooming a more capable and responsive workforce. For any meaningful development to take place in the civil service, capacity building is the way to go.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo, noted that effective data collection would ensure traffic compliance and sustainable response to the needs of the travelling public.
“It is through effective data collection that we can create lasting changes, ensuring that our traffic systems are not only compliant but also sustainable and responsive to the needs of the travelling public.”
While reacting, the TRACE Commandant General, Seni Ogunyemi, stressed the need for the government to put infrastructure in place that would ensure a reduction in road crashes.
He added that the agency would adopt digital innovation in traffic management as suggested by the deputy governor.
“Our challenge in the management of traffic includes poor infrastructure such as road signs like speed limits, among others. That is why this conference is important and after the conference, we will submit a communique. Apart from human errors, the poor infrastructure and state of our roads also contribute to the road crashes.
“We will work on the adoption of digital platforms as suggested by the deputy governor in the management of traffic across the state,” the TRACE CG said.
Ogunyemi concluded that the agency would continue to collaborate with other traffic agencies to deliver effective traffic management across the state.