SIR: Everyone, by default, has the tendency to either be good or bad, kind or unkind, human or heartless; no one is born a saint or devil. We all can be induced to manifest either the good or bad character when pressured by situation or rather the uncontrolled urge to amass wealth. Greed and discontentment are the drivers that lure one to cheat and swindle. Choosing to do good when the option of bad appeals is what defines a disciplined and matured man.
There is a general notion by most Lagosians that all the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials are corrupt and that these personnel do nothing on the road other than to extort. No one makes any good comment about the officers anywhere anytime. Motorists and even commuters all speak ill of LASTMA officials with their various experiences at the hands of these cream and maroon uniformed colour personnel. Virtually no one wishes them well.
Sadly, those who hold such notions are not entirely wrong as their painful, unforgettable encounters constantly send reminders on how bad some of these men and officers of the agency could be.
It would however, be totally wrong and unfair to judge all officials of the agency as bad or corrupt. In every setting, we have two categories of staff – the promoters and spoilers of good deeds. For every original thing, there exists the counterfeit and as such, life itself is two-sided. So, human actions are adjudged good or bad based on the line drawn as standard. It takes long time continuity and consistency for the good doer to get recognition and a short time for one who does the opposite to be known.
Now, people are quick to judge and conclude on spotting any LASTMA officer at any intersection or layby, that they are evil and corrupt.
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A very important fact that must be registered in the mind of all is that, people are by nature generally opposed to anything or anyone that checkmates or regulates their actions. They become even recalcitrant when enforcement of laws is effected. This fact alone makes LASTMA officials enemy of those who are addicted traffic offenders. Traffic control is the core duty of the agency, arrest of traffic violators is secondary but the latter is as important as the former for compliance purpose. When penalties are paid by traffic law defaulters, it would make them think twice in flouting it next time and also serve as deterrence to would-be offenders too.
Spokesman for LASTMA, Olumide Filade, recently disclosed that the agency, between May and July this year, had impounded a total of 2,280 privately-owned vehicles and 1,570 commercial vehicles, while 130 drivers were referred to the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) for recertification of their licenses within the same period. With this alone, these affected members of the public would certainly not be happy with the agency; they blame the traffic law enforcers for not being lenient because they failed to wear a ‘human face’.
Also according to Filade, 11 officers of the agency have so far faced various disciplinary actions from 2020 till date, with some having their appointments terminated, some demoted and others reprimanded for various offences. A LASTMA officer was dismissed for demanding bribe from a motorist in June this year. This shows clearly that the agency isn’t handling with levity allegations or complaints of corruption against any officer.
Doing better in delivering public service to Lagosians is the expectation of motorists and this can be achieved when everyone trusts the judgement of LASTMA officers. It is generally said that, one can preach a sermon better with his life than with his lips; so no matter what’s written or said about LASTMA, it is what its men do that matters and would ultimately be seen by all. In the end, it is up to LASTMA and its men!
As officers and men of LASTMA, our scorecard of performance is solely determined by what we do as seen by the public. Whether it’s commendation or condemnation; it’s a function of our own doing!
- Kayode Ojewale,
LASTMA, Lagos.