PRESS STATEMENT
A high-level delegation from the Katsina State Safety and Road Traffic Authority (KASSAROTA) has conducted an official visit to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in Lagos.
This was disclosed in a press statement sent from Lagos by the Public Relations Officer of KASSAROTA, Abubakar Marwana Kofar Sauri.
According to the statement, during the visit, the Director General of KASSAROTA, Major Garba Yahaya Rimi (Rtd.), traced the history of the authority’s establishment, which began during the tenure of former Governor of Katsina State, Malam Aminu Bello Masari. He highlighted the current Katsina State Government’s efforts under Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda to modernise road traffic management.
DG Rimi noted that the authority got an approval for the establishment of the Katsina State Vehicle Identification & Database Management System, aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing staff capacity, and ensuring comprehensive coverage across all 34 Local Government Areas of the state.
He further stated that KASSAROTA has expanded the number of its personnel and increased its zones and units from three to thirteen, with additional training provided to unit commandants and operations officers.
“In line with directives from the Governor, KASSAROTA is benchmarking against LASTMA, recognised nationwide for its structured traffic management, social framework, data-driven enforcement, and technology integration,” DG Rimi said. “This visit allows us to study, document, and learn from LASTMA’s operational, institutional, and technological framework to develop a robust traffic management system for Katsina State.”
He outlined the specific objectives of the visit:
To understand LASTMA’s institutional structure, hierarchy, and operational framework.
To study its traffic monitoring and enforcement systems, including human and technological components.
To examine LASTMA’s data management and information systems, covering vehicle registration, offenders’ ticketing, and digital reporting.
To assess inter-agency collaboration with bodies like the Police and Federal Road Safety Corps.
To gather insights on policy frameworks and establishing laws that empower traffic management operations.
To identify best practices, challenges, and potential adaptations suitable for Katsina State.
DG Rimi also highlighted KASSAROTA’s key areas of focus, including institutional framework, legal backing, authority autonomy, and the relationship with the Ministry of Transport.
Speaking during the visit, the Secretary of KASSAROTA, Aminu Lawal Batsari emphasised that the engagement provided practical insights into organisational structures, operational planning, public education strategies, and traffic enforcement, which will support ongoing reforms at KASSAROTA.
Also speaking, the State Commandant of KASSAROTA, Dahiru Mani Bagiwa described the delegation’s experience at LASTMA as a “learning opportunity comparable to attending a school,” noting that they gained exposure to zonal deployment, traffic monitoring, and staff training practices adaptable to Katsina State.
Responding, the Director General of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare‑Oki welcomed the KASSAROTA delegation and provided an overview of LASTMA’s history and achievements.
He explained that LASTMA was established on 15th July 2000 by then-Governor and current President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to address severe traffic congestion in Lagos.
DG Bakare‑Oki highlighted LASTMA’s proactive approach, which includes the use of smart cameras, drones, data-driven traffic management, zonal operations, professional development for staff, and public sensitisation campaigns.
He acknowledged challenges such as high vehicle volumes and congested roads but stressed that LASTMA remains a benchmark for modern urban traffic management in Nigeria.
KASSAROTA continues to focus on improving road safety, enhancing traffic management, enforcing compliance with traffic laws, educating the public, and strengthening staff capacity across Katsina State. The delegation expressed commitment to adapting lessons learned from LASTMA, including technology adoption, zonal deployment, and community engagement, to enhance service delivery in Katsina.
