The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LASTMA

  • Re: LASTMA officials in Ogun State

    Re: LASTMA officials in Ogun State

    SIR: The attention of the management of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been drawn to a letter published with the above captioned in The Nation of Tuesday, February 7, witten by Abiodun Taiwo Rauph, from Sango Ota, Ogun State.

    The writer submitted that agencies created by each state in the federation are exclusively responsible to the state and their services begin and end within geographical boundary of such state, with exception of federal agencies that may function under different s scenario and circumstance.

    Abiodun claimed that he saw some officers of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) arresting commuter drivers and extorting money from them at the former toll-gate in Sango Ota, Ogun State. According to him, he approached them to inquire where the cross border order for Lagos State traffic officials came from and why they did not stop their activities at the Lagos State side of the border like the Police. “The men replied that their boss was aware of their presence at the point and nobody can stop them”.

    He stated further that series of twitters sent to the LASTMA office for clarifications on this issue are without response till now, and this illegal act still continues unabated.

    The agency wishes to thank Rauph for his letter, even when we would have preferred all other communication avenues were fully exhausted before going to the media. Furthermore, the agency is not in possession of the supposed twitter sent to it. Otherwise we would have swung into action and arrest the alleged LASTMA officers. More so, if they are LASTMA officials, they acted on their own and the agency’s searchlight will be beamed in that direction and others.

    However, it is not out of place to have LASTMA officials lending helping hand to their counterparts in Ogun State to help ease traffic in and outside Lagos in the spirit of oneness.

    But suffice to point out that when dealing with LASTMA officials, watch out for names. Abiodun’s inability to mention any name in the letter has made the investigation into the matter awkward and allegation spurious. The agency has zero tolerance for corruption and indiscipline. Therefore, our fervent belief is without discipline, the agency will fail in its core responsibilities which are to achieving seamless traffic on Lagos roads and functioning in line with the global best practices.

    It may interest the writer that many officers have been dismissed; many are currently facing Personal Management Board (PMB) discipline for various acts of indiscipline contrary to the extant rules. Officers on duty are enjoined to always demonstrate high level of decorum and discipline. It is to curb such nefarious act and interface with the public that we operate an open door policy for report to be lodged or phone call to the following: 08025876702, 0802340337 or Twitter: @followlastma, FB: Lagos State Traffic Managament Authority and Instagram:eko_lastma.

     

    • Mamud Hassan,

    LASTMA Headquarter,

    Oshodi, Lagos.

  • Over 300 LASTMA officials to monitor marathon

    Over 300 LASTMA officials to monitor marathon

    Over 300 Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials will control traffic during Saturday’s City Marathon, Acting Commissioner for Transportation Prince Anofiu Elegushi said yesterday.

    Elegushi, who briefed reporters on the 42-km race, which starts at the National Stadium, Surulere, and ends at Eko Atlentic City, Victoria Island, advised residents to use the alternative routes created to avoid untold hardship.

    The marathon will hold between 6am and 2pm.

    The commissioner said there would be traffic restriction inward Fadeyi, Ojuelegba and Stadium. No U-Turn will be allowed between Anthony through the Interchange and Jibowu on Ikorodu Road as well as between Ojuelegba and Stadium on Funsho Williams Avenue.

    Other areas include Gbagada inward Third Mainland Bridge, Falomo Roundabout inward Bourdillion and Akin Adesola Street inward Bar Beach.

    Elegushi said the restriction would give the marathoners free passage, noting that alternative routes have been created for residents to ease movement.

    He said traffic from Masha inward Stadium would be diverted to Shitta Roundabout for onward movement through Falolu and Adeniran Ogunsanya Roads.

    “From Eko Bridge, motorists shall be diverted through Costain to connect Ebute Meta, Orile, Nigerian Breweries and Bode Thomas through Apapa Road (now Moshood Abiola Way).

    “From Alaka Estate, traffic will be diverted through Iponri or Iponri Estate.

    “Motorists from Apapa/Orile–Iganmu to Funsho Williams shall be diverted through Apapa Road to continue their journey,” he said.

    There will be no movement in both directions between Anthony and Ojota beyond Anthony; traffic will be diverted through Town Planning Way before Anthony–Oke.

    From Apapa–Oshodi Expressway (from Mile 2), traffic will be diverted through BOC Gases/Armed Forces Resettlement Centre on the service lane through Agege Motor Road.

    “From Old Toll Gate to Alapere, Ogudu, motorists shall be diverted through Gbagada, Oworonshoki – Oshodi – Apapa Expressway to navigate their journey to their destinations.

    “From Ajah to Ozumba Mbadiwe Road through Lekki, traffic shall be diverted through Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase I.”

    The commissioner said traffic would be diverted through Alexander Road from Cable Bridge in Ikoyi, adding that Bourdillion Road will be temporarily closed to traffic.

     “From Awolowo Road, motorists shall be diverted through Falomo Bridge to connect Ozumba Mbadiwe Road while Falomo Roundabout inward Bourdillion will be temporarily closed and Akin Adesola Street inward Bar Beach will also be temporarily closed to traffic.

    Also from Bonny Camp to Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, traffic will be diverted through Old Mr. Biggs Junction to Kofo Abayomi Street.”

    Elegushi urged residents to cooperate with the security agencies to avoid gridlock.

    “Since we are taking this option and restricting movement we feel duty bound to provide information on alternative routes that people can take on the day of the event.

    “It is our plan to mount and deploy adequate traffic diversion signs and personnel to monitor and manage traffic. The routes will be open as soon as the last runner leaves each point to ensure the traffic is not held for too long,” he said.

  • Murdered LASTMA official

    Murdered LASTMA official

    •No one should get away from attacking persons working for government

    The vicious mob that killed a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official at Apapa, Lagos, last year, as shown in the YouTube, operated on the fringe of lunacy. Perhaps in that instance, we may add to the basket of common saying: the madness of a mob. For it is only a horde operating on the lunatic fringe that can be so merciless as those involved in the murder of Mr. Olatunji Suraju Bakare, even if propelled by the unfortunate incident that led to the death of a motor boy. But it is heartwarming that two people have been arrested in connection with the murder.

    The two incidents portray the challenges of a modern society. Mr Bakare’s death was engineered by those determined to stop some LASTMA officials from enforcing traffic rules, within the Liverpool axis, in Apapa. Of course, traffic offenders constitute serious threats to the wellbeing of residents of a megalopolis like Lagos, and understandably, everything humanly possible should be done to rein them in. But for the pro-active determination of the government of Lagos State, the metropolis was under threat from rising chaotic traffic.

    Perhaps, it was with such determination that the LASTMA officials pursued the traffic offender, a choice that led to the death of a motor boy sleeping by the roadside. While we acknowledge that LASTMA officials should use safer and more conventional methods to enforce the law, it is worrisome that the crowd that gathered could resort to such bestial behaviour as was recorded. The heartless reaction of the mob shows a degenerate society, and sociologists and medical psychologists should help examine the causes and solution.

    What would make an ordinary person presumably going about his/her normal business, suddenly and efficiently turn into a murderer? Those who stripped Mr Bakare and gleefully stoned and stabbed him to death, even as he was writhing in pain in the gutter where he was pushed into, may be completely insane. Otherwise, how does one explain the motivation for that sudden change in role, from a passer-by, presumably sane and business minded, to a vicious murderer, with all the implications?

    Also worrisome is the presence of mind of the folks who brought out their mobile phones to video the mayhem instead of calling the police or even make efforts to restrain the murderers. Perhaps theirs is a milder level of insanity? Obviously we leave in perilous times, because of the moral degeneracy of our society. In our pristine saner past, many of those at the scene would be concerned with saving the dying, while ensuring that the officials involved are restrained from running way. But as our society degenerates, many of her citizens are more readily willing to resort to self-help, maybe as a further mark of their loss of faith in the public institutions and due process.

    We thank the state government for arresting some of the suspects, who allegedly participated in the murder of the LASTMA official. This is the way it should be; people should not kill agents of government and go scot-free. Otherwise, we would be sending wrong signals to the colleagues of the victim that they are on their own; and to potential criminals that they can get away, even with murder. None is in the interest of society.

    Others involved in the gruesome murder should be identified and brought to justice. This can be possible with the help of the video which had gone viral. Also, governments at all levels must appreciate the point we made here recently, about the increase in mental illnesses, partly because of the gruelling economic difficulties and social disequilibrium afflicting our society. Perhaps an investment in causes and treatment of mental ill-health is increasingly necessary.

    We urge the Lagos State government to also ensure justice for the motor boy. The LASTMA officials need to review their methods of enforcing compliance with traffic rules, and should use modern technology, instead of force. Maybe there is wisdom in the original template of operations for LASTMA officials as promoted at the inception of the present state government.

  • Marathon: LASG deploys 300 LASTMA personnel

    Marathon: LASG deploys 300 LASTMA personnel

    The Lagos State Government has deployed no fewer than 300 Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel to monitor traffic during the Lagos City Marathon scheduled for Feb. 11.

    The state Commissioner for Transport, Olanrewaju Elegushi, told newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that the ministry was ready to ensure adherence to traffic regulation during the race.

    Elegushi said that the plan had been put in place to host a successful marathon.

    The commissioner said that the 42 kilometres race would kick off at 6:00 a.m. at the National Stadium, Surulere and terminate at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island Lagos by 2 p.m.

    According to him, motorists from Eko Bridge are expected to take Costain to Apapa Road, Ebute Metta, or Orile through Nigeria Breweries and Bode Thomas route.

    Elegushi said that there would not be a restriction of vehicular movement on Ikorodu Road on both directions between Anthony and Ojota axis.

    “No fewer than 300 LASTMA officials have been deployed to handle the marathon events scheduled for Saturday, February 11.

    “We want to engage the Lagos residents on the plan of the government to host the Lagos City Marathon.

    “We appeal to them to follow the diversion plans to allow free traffic during the event,’’ the commissioner said.

    He said that traffic would be restricted to inward journey movement along Fadeyi, Ojuelegba and Stadium.

    Elegushi said that motorists would not be allowed to make U-turn between Anthony through the interchange, and at Jibowu on Ikorodu road.

    He said that vehicular movement would also be diverted through Alexandra Road from Cable Bridge, while Bourdillion Road would be temporarily closed to traffic.

    • Ahletes at the 2016 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
    • Ahletes at the 2016 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

    The commissioner said that the ministry had also provided adequate traffic officials to mount diversion signs.

    Meanwhile, Mr Olawale Musa, General Manager, LASTMA said that government was duty bound to provide adequate information on the alternative routes that motorists could take during the event.

    Musa assured Lagos residents that the agency was committed to ensuring the marathon was hitch-free.

    “We appeal to Lagos residents to support the event and follow the alternative routes to ease traffic,” he said. 

  • Man charged with assaulting LASTMA official

    Man charged with assaulting LASTMA official

    A man, Benjamin Archibong, has been charged to court with wounding a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official, Olumide Omomoyesan.

    The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) arrested Archibong last Tuesday in Lekki-Ajah.

    A statement by the task force Public Relations Officer, Taofiq Adebayo, said the suspect obstructed a LASTMA team from impounding a commercial Volkswagen bus marked FKJ 688 XV. The driver was said to have resisted arrest for picking and dropping passengers at an unauthorised place around Lekki-Ajah area.

    Archibong, 20, was charged with assault, obstruction and conduct likely to cause breach of peace before Magistrate Adepeju Odusanya in Ogba, Lagos last Thursday.

    Prosecuting counsel Adedoyin Odukoya said Archibong pleaded

    “not guilty” and was granted N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. The sureties must be residents of Lagos State.

    The matter was adjourned till February 28.

    Task Force Chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said Archibong’s arrest would deter others from obstructing security or government officials from discharging their duties.

    The agency, he said, has started enforcing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s directive to arrest council officials who undertake traffic duties.

  • Drama as BRT passengers, LASTMA official exchange words

    Drama as BRT passengers, LASTMA official exchange words

  • LASTMA goes tough on erring motorists

    LASTMA goes tough on erring motorists

    • Seeks willful compliance with traffic, environmental laws

    The Lagos State Government on Friday carried out comprehensive enforcement of Traffic and Environmental Laws across the State, just as it urged motorists and residents to adopt willful compliance with the relevant laws to ensure the free flow of traffic, civility and public order.

    The enforcement, which was jointly carried out by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, witnessed the arrest of hundreds of commercial motorcyclists plying one way and restricted routes in Agege, Iju Road, Abule-Egba and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, among others.

    Traders displaying their wares on walkway thereby forcing pedestrians to walk on the road were also arrested, with their goods removed and impounded.

    Speaking to newsmen during the exercise, General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olawale Musa said in as much as the government was willing to enforce the law with civility, it would however not allow anyone to break the law and cause trouble for other residents and commuters.

    Musa, who recently assumed office as the GM of LASTMA, said men of the Authority have been adequately directed to perform their duties with utmost civility and discipline, but urged members of the public to reciprocate by complying with the relevant traffic laws.

    He said the enforcement was largely aimed at sending a strong signal to the public that men of LASTMA were still very much on ground to ensure free-flow of traffic in every part of the State and deal appropriately with any hitches.

    “This enforcement today is just to send a strong signal that we are on the ground and that anybody that breaks the rules or does not conform with the law, we will do the needful but we hope we don’t go to the extent of impounding vehicles, arresting people and trying people. That is why we are appealing to members of the public to always comply with the law. It is not in our desire to make people suffer and once you comply, we don’t have any reason to do that.

    “In my few days in office as the new LASTMA GM, I have noticed that the problem we have is the issues of indiscipline and impatience. Most of our people are impatient and don’t like to obey traffic rules and they like to stop wherever they like especially the commercial bus drivers.

    “But as much as possible, we implore them to always cooperate with our men because it is when we all do that that we can have free-flow of traffic. Sometimes, we might have few hitches but our men will always be on the ground to control the traffic,” Musa said.

    Speaking on his vision for the Authority, the GM said it is a new dawn for traffic management in the State, adding that government, through the agency, would go all out to ensure that commuters have seamless experience travelling across the State.

    “Let me assure the public that we are going to have a new, very responsible and very disciplined LASTMA. As much as possible, we are going to ensure civility. We will not tolerate LASTMA officials that are rude; we will not tolerate LASTMA officials that act with imprudence and we also would not tolerate people that will not obey the rules, but as much as possible, our officers will maintain discipline and civility. That I can assure the public.

    “Our residents should ensure they obey traffic rules. We do not want to arrest anybody; we don’t take joy in impounding any vehicle but if we are forced to, we might have to. We have told our men not to tow vehicles indiscriminately. If vehicles develop a fault on the road, as much as possible, we will help you to remove the vehicle from the road but when you disobey traffic rules, we will do the needful so that traffic will flow,” Musa said.

  • Ambode appoints Private Secretary as new LASTMA GM

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday appointed his Principal Private Secretary, Mr. Olawale Musa, as the new General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

    Musa takes over from the former LASTMA GM, Bashir Braimoh, who has been redeployed to a yet unknown ministry.

    The new General Manager resumed work on Monday at the Oshodi headquarters of the traffic Agency.

    Addressing officers of LASTMA, Musa pledged his commitment to staff discipline and free flow of traffic on Lagos roads.

    He vows to ensure a highly mobile, efficient and effective traffic management system in the state.

    Musa said he would ensure that the agency worked in line with the best global practices, urging every LASTMA official to demonstrate discipline on duty, shun corruption and give adequate respect to road users.

    He called for the cooperation of motorists and members of the public in government’s effort to reposition the agency for better service delivery.

  • Police under pressure to arrest killers of LASTMA official

    The Nigerian Police, Lagos State Command, is now under pressure to fish out the killers of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Surajudeen Olatunji Bakare, who was brutally murdered by an irate mob in Apapa on December 15.

    The Nation gathered on Thursday that Lagos State government has written to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, demanding the arrest of the culprits.

    The state government, it was further learnt, requested the commissioner of police, “to treat the matter with all the urgency it deserves.”

    Bakare, a level 14 officer, was reportedly attacked by an irate mob which removed his two eyes, stabbed him severally after which he was stoned to death.

    Competent sources in the Ministry of Justice said government’s letter to the state Commissioner of Police dated December 28, 2016 was signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem.

    The state government was said to have expressed concern to the police commissioner over the failure of its officers to effect any arrest 14 days after the dastardly act and despite the fact that the video, showing the faces of the culprits had already gone viral on the internet

    The Attorney General was said to have emphasized the need for the police to promptly fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and turn them in to face necessary legal action.

    The letter reads in part: “The late Bakare was a LASTMA official who was in Apapa area of the state executing his lawful duties and it was in exercising this duty that he was attacked and murdered by persons that have apparently been visually recorded and same circulated on social media.

    “This is a crime that is clearly an affront to civilization and the sustenance of law and order which the administration of His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has sworn to uphold.

    “The Lagos State Government demands that the perpetrators of this dastardly crime be arrested, investigated and the case file promptly sent to this office for Legal Advice,” Kazeem said.

    He added that his office would be available to provide any assistance required by the police.

     

  • Rapprochement from LASTMA

    How do you recognise socially conscious and responsible organisations?  Gauge the length they would go to investigate — and correct — any scandal, no matter how slight, that might plague their names.

    On November 15 (last Tuesday), Hardball reported the odyssey of Citizen Folasade, who a LASTMA trooper extorted, in the Okota sector of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) operations. That sector is formally known as Zone 27, with Olatunji Olokodana as zonal head.

    Note: the key words are “investigate” and “correct”.  Though the Hardball reportage came with a rather impressive sequence of events, it was still an allegation, though he was sure those allegations were true.

    So, pronto on Wednesday, Robinson Osirike, The Nation’s advert manager, clutching a copy of the previous day’s edition, approached Hardball and announced that two gentlemen from LASTMA — Mr. Olokodana and Felix Ugbechie of Vanguard, Mr. Olokodana’s friend and informal media adviser — were in the house, concerning the Hardball LASTMA story.

    After an initial investigation in-house, Mr. Olokodana had reached out to Mr. Ugbechie, who reached out to his own friend, Mr. Osirike, who helped to set up the mission to The Nation.

    It is to the eternal credit of the two gentlemen, how they went about the investigation: Mr. Olokodana, not dismissing the allegations but still giving his man the benefit of the doubt; and Mr. Ugbechie, asking probing questions to corroborate facts or dismiss possible lies, as they emerged.

    At the end of the day, the gentlemen established the facts of the case and did the needful. Mr. Olokodana personally returned the extorted N5, 000.  Maybe, Nigerian-style, a more flippant person would have, on the cash, pleaded “forgive and forget” and moved on.

    But not Mr. Olokodana!  He realised, like Hardball, that what was at stake was the principle: the imperative to slam any sharp practices; not the quantum of money involved.  If the principle was rotten, the amount, big or small, also must be.  In any case, it is important that small infractions are punished before they become big rackets.

    Again, eternal credit to Mr. Olokodana for showing Hardball the other side of LASTMA — civil, friendly, warm and dutiful — critical areas the public often complain about the conduct of troopers that give the selfless and hardworking majority a bad name.

    But Hardball was anxious to be assured the trooper’s job was not at risk.  Certainly, it would be a shame if someone were to lose his job, for petty extortion?  Hardball pleads the officer involved should just be cautioned. He must have learnt his lessons. Besides, didn’t the Bible say God didn’t want a sinner to perish but to repent and change his ways?

    Still, Mr. Olokodana spoke of his running Okota headache, with banks and some other businesses that lack adequate parking spaces, especially after the Ago Palace Way had been expanded.  He spoke of his endless and ceaseless counselling to banks (with pretty little result); and how his troopers often had no choice but to tow vehicles obstructing traffic.

    So, maybe the LASTMA high command, with the Lagos State Government, should put heads together, with these business concerns, to solve these problems, so that troopers on ground would have less operational headaches.

    With Mr. Olokodana’s handling and swift resolution of this matter, Hardball is reconverted to LASTMA, the Lagos traffic police many Lagosians just love to hate.

    But he — and other zonal heads — should work harder on their troopers, to replicate, on the road, the organisation’s high ethos, as Mr. Olokodana so finely manifested.

    For doing a thankless job on our roads, Lagos should be eternally grateful to LASTMA. That due must not be taken away by a few reckless and overzealous troopers.