The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LASTMA

  • itel Mobile sensitises tricycle operators on road safety measures

    Africa’s mobile phone giant, itel Mobile in Lagos, has launched a Keke Napep campaign to sensitize the public and commercial tricycle drivers popularly known as Keke Napep on the dangers of texting, answering call with one a hand while driving.

    The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative tagged “LOVE ALWAYS ON”, is the customer-centric smartphone maker’s drive to prioritize its community’s needs and ensure a safer traffic environment and reduce road-related tragedies.

    A statement made by Oke Umurhohwo, Marketing Communications Manager, itel mobile, said that the number of road accidents in Nigeria has been on a steady increase with distracted drivers who divert attention from the road, usually to talk or text on their mobile phones, becoming one of the leading causes of road accidents.

    According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), no fewer than 2,598 Nigerians died in road accidents between October 2017 and March 2018. In response to this growing concern, itel Mobile joined hands with LASTMA to sensitize drivers on safe driving and road maintenance through physical demonstrations, interactive courses on driving safety, visual aids, and donations such as reflective jackets and caution stickers.

    READ ALSO: Itel rewards communities

    Speaking at the occasion, Umurhohwo, said that itel Mobile position as Africa’s leading customer-centric brand which provided smartphones for everyone has always been in the forefront of raising awareness on social issues that affect everyone, “Irrespective of class, location or any other factor, and road safety is one of them. We aim to engage in activities that ensure safer behavior, especially safe driving, to help drivers understand the intricacies and unpredictability’s of driving as accidents can happen in a brief moment.

    “The one day campaign which was refreshed by Pepsi Nigeria had over 30 tricycles (Keke napep) drive around Ikeja axis to spread awareness on safety.

    The event was graced with the presence of notable dignitaries such as AIG of Police, Chris Olakpe; CEO of LASTMA, Hon. Engr. Mojeed Balogun; Executive chairman, Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Joseph Olu-Odunsanya; Lagos state chairman, TOOAN (Tricycle Owners Operators Association of Nigeria), CSP Titilayo Oriyomi Oluwasanmi; State Traffic Officer, Lagos State, and itel mobile management staff.

    Some of the Keke at the event

     

  • No more road closure for Buhari’s mega rally, says Lagos

    Lagos State Government has reversed itself over the closure of 18 routes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally to canvass votes for President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday.

    The rally holds at the Teslim Balogun stadium, Surulere with the state initially declaring some roads will be closed to ensure easy passage for Buhari and his entourage.

    But the government said there would be no more road closure, urging Lagosians to go about their normal businesses on Saturday during the rally.

    It, however, declared residents should expect an increased presence of traffic personnel at Surulere and adjoining streets because of the mega rally.

    Many Lagosians have expressed apprehensions the proposed closures would lead to a complete lockdown of the nation’s commercial nerve.

    Commissioner for Transportation Ladi Lawanson gave the clarification in chat with reporters at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa on Friday.

    Also present at the briefing were: General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Mr Wale Musa and the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Hyginus Omeje.

    Lawanson said the earlier statement announcing diversion and road closure had been reversed, adding that residents were free to go about their businesses.

    He said the state government was reversing its earlier position in conjunction with federal operatives and the APC to ensure minimal discomfort and minimal disruptions of businesses.

    The commissioner, who is also a member of the transport sub-committee for the Presidential visit and the APC rally, said “Lagosians have been very apprehensive that there will be traffic gridlock and we got a lot of feedbacks that we intend to grind Lagos to a halt.

    “People are apprehensive; they think we are going to shut down Lagos; they think movement would be restricted and they are bracing themselves for what they anticipate would be the hardship that would be visited on them by the president’s visit and our own activities.

    “I repeat there will be between zero to the barest minimum amount of disruptions to the normal movement that Lagosians undertake on a Saturday like today.

    Read Also: Nigeria Airways ex-workers stage rally for Buhari’s reelection

    “So, there will not be any road closures in Lagos today and Lagosians are free to go about their normal businesses today, Saturday,” Lawanson said.

    He said adequate arrangement had been firmed up to ensure free flow of traffic but residents should expect tight security around the routes which the President is expected to pass through in the course of his visit and the venue of the rally.

    “We would just like to communicate that because we are expecting a high caliber personality no less a person than the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the normal security precautions that attend a visit of this nature should be expected.

    “The President would visit Lagos tomorrow with the full retinue of security aides that protect him and his entourage but there will not be any road closures and there will be zero to minimal disruptions of normal activities,” the Commissioner said.

    He, however, said there would be huge presence of officials of the police, LASTMA, FRSC and other agencies to ensure free flow of traffic around the Surulere axis.

    “Around the venue of the rally which is the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere and the adjourning streets are traffic management agencies such as LASTMA, FRSC, Police and other agencies that would support them tomorrow.

    “They will handle the traffic management around the venue tomorrow and so people can expect to see a huge presence of our traffic,” the commissioner said.

  • Soldier abducts LASTMA officer after passing BRT Lane

    An Army officer Isiya Usman dressed in mufti and three others on Tuesday abducted an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Afeez Badru, who stopped him from passing the BRT Lane.

    The incident occurred in Maryland.

    Badru was taken Marda Barracks opposite St. Dominic Church, Yaba and detained for seven hours.

    He was allegedly forced to write an undertaking that he vandalised the soldier’s bus and responsible for the loss of his (Usman’s) phone, which he bought for N120,000 in Mali.

    After written the undertaking, Badru was freed to the LASTMA men that came for his release.

    According to an eyewitness, Badru and other LASTMA patrol team stopped Usman, who drove in Toyota Hiace Bus marked KMC 648GE on BRT Lane.

    He said: “As Badru tried to snap the bus, the man (Usman) came out with a dagger and started stabbing Badru. Three others in the bus came out to drag Badru into the bus. Their actions infuriated passersby, motorists and Okada riders. The motorcyclists smashed the bus back windscreen.

    “The bus zoomed off. The motorcyclists chased the bus and blocked the road at Anthony Bus Stop. They also try to break the front windscreen before the soldier drove past them.”

    According to a LASTMA official (name withheld), Badru was beaten in the bus.

    “Badru’s phone got spoil in the process of dragging him into the bus. The three men in the bus smashed a big iron on Badru’s head while taking him away. He was also beaten at the barracks,” he said.

    The Nation learnt that the soldiers threatened to deal with some LASTMA senior officials that went to the barracks to rescue him.

     

    “He was not released until he was forced to write undertaking. The soldier said he bought his lost phone in Mali where he went for Peace Keeping assignment,” he said.

    LASTMA Chief Public Affairs Officer Kole Adu decried the attitude of attacking LASTMA officials on duty.

    Adu said: “The public especially force men should stop harassing our men. They should stop flouting traffic rules. The bus is even untainted. The attack is getting too many. We are out to ease traffic and serve the people. Be it uniformed men and civilians. It is getting too many for God’s sake. They should allow our men to do their job. Our official Rotimi Adeyemo was killed by a uniform officer last month. This month will be two years another official, Bakare Olatunji was killed. This is getting out of hand.”

  • LASTMA officials as endangered species

    SIR: Recently, there was chaos along Ikorodu Road, following the mayhem reportedly orchestrated by two policemen attached to a bank in the neighbourhood. According to reports, the two policemen unleashed maximum terror on two officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA.

    The whole sad episode began when a mobile policeman who allegedly drove through the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lane was blocked by the ill-fated LASTMA officials. In the resultant squabble, the two policemen purportedly beat up the LASTMA officials, vandalized their vehicle and assisted the erring mobile policeman to escape.

    Characteristically, images of the unfortunate incident went viral on the social media, particularly the part in which the armed policemen were pouncing mercilessly on the LASTMA officers.

    In response to the distressing happening, the Lagos State Government has declared a zero tolerance for such uncivilized conduct by members of the public against LASTMA officers while on duty.

    According to Ladi Lawanson, the State Commissioner for Transport, 18 LASTMA officials have so far been killed in 2018 alone; while 24 were debilitated by ‘hit-and-run’ vehicles and violent attacks. This has become a recurring evil.

    For instance, on December 15, 2016, a LASTMA official in charge of Apapa area, Olatunji Suraju Bakare, was openly killed in broad daylight. He was gruesomely murdered by irate mob that undressed and dropped him inside the drain, before lynching him.

    There was another case involving Rotimi Adeyemo, the LASTMA officer, who was recently killed by a triggered happy police officer.

    It is, indeed, ironical that LASTMA officials, who are employed to ensure Lagos residents have a pleasant motoring experience, have suddenly become objects of undue assaults and barbaric attacks by same people whom they are being paid to serve.

    In-spite of the difficult environment it operates, Lagos residents have continued to feel the impact of LASTMA’s good job as areas hitherto notorious for traffic gridlocks during peak periods now relatively experience free flow traffic. Such areas that clearly manifest the good works of LASTMA include Mile 2, Ojuelegba, Oshodi, Tollgate, Agidingbi, Mile 12, Iyana Ipaja, Adeniji- Adele,  Apongbon, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Awolowo road, Oyingbo, Falomo, Kingsway Road etc. The usually chaotic traffic situation in these areas has tremendously being ameliorated with the help of LASTMA officials.

    However, regardless of doing its utmost to ensure sanity exist on Lagos’ roads, no other government agency has been most vilified, maligned and mis-understood like LASTMA. The war of attrition between motorists, security operatives and LASTMA officials have been so heightened in recent times, culminating in brutal attacks, unwarranted hostility and needless deaths of LASTMA officials.

    As with other regulatory and enforcement agencies across the country, it may not be unusual to find a few bad eggs in LASTMA, since they are products of the society. Some may truly be culpable of the some allegations usually leveled against LASTMA officials.  Government, on its own, is not unaware of this as it has continually been making efforts geared towards solving the problem of black sheep in LASTMA. Sometimes ago, a corrupt LASTMA official who was caught in the act was not only dismissed but prosecuted by the government and eventually jailed.

    Rather than vilify LASTMA, members of the public should come up with collaborative ideas that could make the agency work better for the good of the society. Those who have genuine contributions to make to governance in the state should avail themselves of the novel opportunity provided through the various e-mail addresses and phone numbers of members of the State Executive Council which are now public properties. LASTMA officials are our brothers and sisters; we should respect their right to life.

     

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi,

    Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • FSARS operative allegedly shot dead LASTMA official in Lagos

    A police inspector attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ikeja on Wednesday allegedly shot dead an official with the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) while controlling traffic.

    Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria that the LASTMA official, named Adeyemo Rotimi, was shot dead at Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos.

    It was gathered that the LASTMA official was shot dead when he challenged the policeman, identified as Joseph Oki, for disobeying traffic rules.

    It was also  learnt that the victim, popularly known as ‘Baba Ibeji’, had stopped the police inspector who was driving a cream coloured Highlander jeep with registration number plate LSR 277 BJ to allow free flow of traffic.

    It was gathered that the LASTMA official reportedly scolded the policeman for flouting traffic rules.

    According to sources, the policeman, who felt insulted by Adeyemo’s warning, allegedly pulled a pistol and shot the LASTMA official in the eye, killing him on the spot.

    NAN learnt that the policeman attempted to flee the scene but was stopped by the mob.

    It was gathered that some policemen in the area reportedly rescued the FSARS officer from the angry crowd who also damaged his vehicle.

    Contacted, Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Chike Oti, did not deny the incident.

    “I am writing a release on the incident,” Oti said.

  • SARS officer shoots LASTMA official dead

    A suspected officer of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has allegedly shot official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) dead.
    The incident occurred on Wednesday at Iyana-Ipaja round about around 6pm.
    The LASTMA official was said to have flagged him down for traffic issue.
    The officer, it was learnt, got down and warned the traffic official never to stop him again, adding that he didn’t have right to do so.
    In the course of exchanging hot words, the angry officer returned to his car, brought out a gun and shot the traffic official.
    Many ran for safety after hearing the sound of the gun.
    The officer, who’s identity is yet to be ascertained, was said to have been arrested.

    Read also: SARS reform public hearing ends in Lagos

    Eyewitnesses said the officer drove a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
    The alleged killer was first taken Moshalashi Police Station along Ipaja Road before being transfered to State Command in Ikeja GRA.
    The traffic official was rushed to Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, where he was confirm dead.
    His remains have been deposited in a mortuary in Yaba, Lagos Mainland.
    LASTMA Public Relations Officer Mahmud Hassan confirmed the incident.
    Hassan said investigation is ongoing and will get on the identity of both the dead traffic official and the officer that shot him.

  • LASG provides palliatives to address perennial logjam

    Worried by the traffic gridlock that has almost grounded activities in Lagos in the past few weeks, the state government after a strategic meeting  on Thursday has taken steps to provide palliatives to address the perennial traffic logjam.

    Arising from a strategic meeting involving Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA), Chris Olakpe, General Manager, LASTMA, Olawale Musa, Commissioner for Transportation, Ladi Lawanson, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Taiwo Salaam and others,  the government said Lagosians have been subjected to difficulties in the past few weeks because of the traffic situation.

    Answering questions from State House Correspondents after the meeting, Olakpe said the government is going to expedite action on trailer parks to cushion the effect of trailers parking on the roads and blocking traffic.

    The government, he said, will continue with the palliatives measures on the pot holes on the roads and has consequently adopted a-2way approach as repairs would now be carried out on the bad roads both in the day time and at night.

    Read Also: LASG shifts attention to rural women

    He also disclosed that the government has just recruited 1000 additional LASTMA personnel to carry out traffic management/control duties with other officers who have been on ground to ensure free movement of traffic.

    Olakpe warned vandals to desist from vandalizing the wire barriers on the highways saying it was frustrating the effort of government, urging Lagosians to cooperate with the government in its effort to ensure orderliness on the highway especially as the yuletide is here.

     

    He warned that anybody caught vandalising the wire barriers would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    The government further warned those who are in the habit of attacking LASTMA officials in the course of their duty to cease or face the full wrath of the law, urging Lagosians to cooperate with LASTMA to ensure free flow of traffic.

    Briefing correspondents earlier on the meeting, Lawanson said the palliative measures were to address the perennial traffic situation which the state has been experiencing in the past few weeks.

    And the steps being taken to address the situation as agreed on at the meeting was due to feedback from traffic personnel on the field, “we have therefore come up with solutions to make Lagos traffic better in the Yuletide”, the transportation commissioner said.

  • Lagos trains 1100 LASTMA on First Aid

    No fewer than 1,100 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been trained on First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

    The training was in conjunction with the Magna Carta Health.

    According to the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to Lagos State Governor on Health Matters Dr Sola Pitan, the initiative is in line with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision of having officers and staff of first responder agencies within the state equipped with these necessary lifesaving skill sets.

    “The training of officers of the First aid is the immediate assistant given to a victim of an injury or accident before the arrival of professional help while Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation involves a series of actions taken to revive a person that has gone into cardiac arrest,” he said.

    The LASTMA officials, he said, due to the nature of their work on the roads and highways are often faced with such situations that will require these interventions of their duty.

    Amongst others, the officers are being trained in five key aspects which are Scene safety, calling for help, Personal protection, Control of bleeding and management of fractures and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

    Pitan said the training involved the use of videos and practical tutorials delivered by American Heart Association (AHA) certified instructors and in accordance with AHA standards.

    “It also involves hands on training with first aid materials, manikins and use of defibrillators for cardiopulmonary resuscitation of victims having cardiac arrest.

    Magna Carta Health Chief Operating Officer Dr Blessing Logan said the officers were taught “how to administer first aid, how to attend to victims when they collapsed, how to control bleeding, how to secure environment.

    “We also teach them how to be confident with this first aid treatment; building up their confidence while attending to victim. We understand the risk and hazard that comes with this work. With this training, what to do when you see accident and how to make environment safe, we are training them so we can have effective LASTMA officers that will help improve the life of Lagosians.2

    According to her, the LASTMA officers should be able to control bleeding and rescue someone that collapsed after the training.

    “We are teaching them the basic care which will be necessary to take care of victims, not just on the roadside but also their neighbours,” she said.

  • Lagos sets up team for free flow of traffic

    Lagos State Government has established a Special Team to ensure efficient traffic compliance in the State and particularly to address the observable flagrant disobedience to traffic rules by motorists.

    Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), AIG Chris Olakpe (Rtd) disclosed this Thursday after a tour of notable traffic prone areas of the state in company of other top hierarchy of the Agency including the General Manager, Mr. Olawale Musa.

    He said the development was part of series of actions and concerted efforts taken to tackle traffic gridlock headlong across the State.

    The Special Team, according to him, consists of the Police, LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and men from different military formations with the purpose of maintaining physical presence and ensuring compliance at the identified traffic trouble spots.

    He expressed optimism that the officers would bring their experiences and professionalism to bear and compliment the efforts of existing staff on ground, adding that their primary responsibility is to ensure efficiency in the traffic control and enforcement of traffic laws all over the state.

    Olakpe warned that LASTMA would not hesitate to prosecute recalcitrant motorists in the habit of flouting the existing traffic laws, assuring that the agency remains totally committed to ensuring efficient traffic control across the State.

    He assured that no stone will be left unturned in the management of traffic and enforcement of traffic laws in the State.

    ”A radical problem required a radical solution. Therefore, I want to state clearly that any motorist caught violating the law would face full wrath of the law. Let me also seize this opportunity to plead with Lagosians and the general public for orderliness to reign on the roads,” he said.

    He said all owners of articulated vehicles apprehended at Apapa earlier this week for willful obstruction, and 36 other vehicle owners arrested for driving against traffic will soon have their day in court accordingly.

    Olakpe enjoined traffic officers to be more dedicated and work within the ambit of law, saying that it had become imperative especially now that repair and rehabilitation of roads are in top gear across the State.

  • Third Mainland Bridge Closure: LASTMA deploys 650 officers

    …Seeks motorists’ cooperation

     

    As part of efforts to ensure free flow of traffic through-out the four-day closure of Third Mainland Bridge for Investigative Maintenance Test, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has deployed a total of 650 officials to all routes along the corridor.

    Addressing the specially-assembled traffic officers of the Agency on Thursday, LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Musa said in view of the strategic importance of the bridge to the economy of Lagos and Nigeria in general, the operation to control traffic during the closure would be treated as a major national assignment and a call to service.

    Read Also:Third Mainland bridge: FRSC, LASTMA will prevent gridlock’

    According to him, the Agency was not oblivious of the volume of traffic on the bridge on hourly and daily basis, and the consequences of diverting such huge traffic on the alternative routes during the period, hence the need to see the cooperation of members of the public.

    He said: “As a professional Agency with requisite personnel and experience, I want to assure Lagosians that we would do everything to make sure that motorists and commuters are not subjected to any discomfort during the exercise.

    “Our traffic officers have been adequately mandated to make sacrifices, demonstrate discipline and professionalism on all the alternative routes during the period of the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge.

    “As officers of this agency, you must be passionate and show compassion to motorists, especially those who are not familiar with the alternative routes and other roads in the metropolis,” Musa charged the officers.

    While urging motorists and commuters to be patient and cooperative to ensure free flow of traffic on all alternative routes during the closure, the LASTMA boss said it was important for the public to strictly adhere to traffic rules and directives to ensure hitch-free exercise in the overall interest of all stakeholders.

    “Already, we have mobilized six hundred and fifty (650) personnel with enough materials and other logistics to ensure free flow of traffic around the period. What we want from the public is strict adherence to traffic rules.

    “Specifically, I like to plead with motorists to exercise patience on alternative routes and comply with traffic laws and directives of traffic officials,” Musa said.

    He added that the provost and surveillance teams of the Agency have been alerted and directed to monitor individual conduct and performance of LASTMA officials on the concerned roads, just as he warned motorists that relevant laws would be fully enforced by the Agency to forestall impunity, chaos and disorderliness in order to ensure security and safety of all road users in the State.

    He, however, advised motorists without urgent need to move to and fro the Island to avoid the alternative routes in view of the attendant traffic gridlock being anticipated.