Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, has said that the Intelligent Transport System initiative, designed to enhance the efficiency of traffic management, will reduce human errors in traffic control while easing the workload of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps.

Speaking in an exclusive interview in Abeokuta, the state capital, Dairo noted that the initiative aims to optimize traffic flow, minimize congestion, and enhance road safety by ensuring the coordinated operation of traffic signals.

He explained that by streamlining traffic management, TRACE officers would be able to focus on more strategic aspects of road safety, rather than manual traffic control at busy intersections.

“The Intelligent Transport System is not meant to replace TRACE officers but to complement their efforts in minimizing road congestion, preventing accidents, and ensuring traffic signals function optimally at junctions,” he said.

According to him, the ITS will help address the limitations of human-controlled traffic systems, which are often prone to errors, particularly at complex road junctions.

“Traffic lights are part of ITS, but the system is much broader. At intersections where we currently have TRACE officers and police managing traffic manually, errors can occur. Some junctions are too large for effective human control, and this is where technology comes in,” Dairo explained.

He further highlighted the shortage of traffic enforcement officers in Ogun State compared to Lagos, stressing the need for technological intervention.

“In Ogun State, we have about 800 TRACE officers managing a vast road network covering almost 180km from west to east and 90km from north to south. In contrast, Lagos has about 5,000 LASTMA officers. Given this disparity, leveraging technology to ease the burden on our personnel is necessary,” he said.

Dairo, who also serves as the Chairman of the Nigerian Transport Commissioners Forum, recently met with key stakeholders in the transport sector, including government agencies, private sector operators, and civil society groups, to discuss the nationwide implementation of ITS.

He emphasized the importance of data collection, political will, and collaboration in modernizing Nigeria’s transport sector.

“Information is the foundation of progress. We must gather data, process it, and use it to make informed decisions that will transform our transport systems,” he said.

The commissioner also stressed the need for government commitment to drive the initiative.

“Political will is the lifeline of the Intelligent Transport System. Without it, even the best plans will remain on paper. We must unite to push for the necessary policies, funding, and enforcement mechanisms to make ITS a reality in Nigeria,” he added.