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Tag: LASTMA

  • LASTMA to prosecute skits, filmmakers over unauthorised use of uniforms, kits

    LASTMA to prosecute skits, filmmakers over unauthorised use of uniforms, kits

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said skits or filmmakers caught using its uniform or affiliated colour, kits and accoutrements without authorisation from the government would be prosecuted.

    The General Manager of the agency, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Taofiq Adebayo, yesterday.

    Bakare-Oki frowned at the demeaning manner in which movie and skit makers portrayed LASTMA institutions in their arts.

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    “Using LASTMA uniform without recourse to Section 79 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, criminalises such unauthorised use.

    “Film or skit makers who portray as LASTMA officers without applying for, and being duly issued a permit letter for such portrayals, should desist with immediate effect or face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

    He expressed optimism that such sanity in movie production, regulation of possession and usage of LASTMA uniform would surely curb proliferation of LASTMA kits, uniforms and accoutrements within the society.

    “We implore the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners and other affiliated bodies to warn their members.

    “Anyone caught using LASTMA uniform without an approved permit will be prosecuted in accordance with ‘Section 79 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015,” he said.

  • LASTMA arrests fake officer over N140,000 extortion

    LASTMA arrests fake officer over N140,000 extortion

    Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have apprehended an alleged serial impersonator for  allegedly collecting N140,000 from owners of vehicles impounded over traffic infractions.

    The vehicles were impounded by LASTMA.

    The agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Taofiq Adebayo, confirmed the  development in a statement yesterday.

    Adebayo said the suspect was apprehended by the monitoring and surveillance team of the agency at Oshodi.

    He said the suspect was nabbed after the agency received complaints of extortions from owners of inter-state commercial buses,  impounded and ticketed for traffic infractions around Moshalasi by the Alaka area of Surulere.

    Adebayo explained that investigations conducted,  revealed that the suspect, Femi Adegbemi, had been collecting huge amounts of money from innocent owners of vehicles impounded by LASTMA officials during enforcement operations.

    “The arrested suspect collected N140,000 from owners/drivers by promising to help them get their impounded vehicles released from the agency’s custody.”

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    “It is disheartening getting complaints from road users,  particularly owners of impounded vehicles on activities of these unscrupulous elements impersonating and extorting money from them. By such acts, they are  tarnishing the image of the agency before the public,” he said.

    Adebayo said the General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare-Oki Olalekan, warned the public to be wary of such  unscrupulous elements, noting that the agency operated a cashless policy.

    He said that apprehended violators were often charged to court via a ‘Referral Notice’ issued to them, assuring that more surveillance/monitoring personnel had been strategically deployed to hunt unscrupulous elements,  duping innocent motoring public across the state.

    The 56-year-old suspect,  Adegbemi, was said to have confessed to the crime.

    “He confessed that he collected N140,000 from owners of the impounded inter-state commercial vehicles.

    “Adegbemi  who confirmed to be living at 9, Anifowose Street, Somolu, confessed further to be making an average of N250,000 weekly from the illegal deal with his other colleagues.

    “He, however, promised to turn a new leaf if let off the hook by the state  government.”

  • JUST IN: LASTMA officials arrest three ‘one chance’ robbers in Lagos

    JUST IN: LASTMA officials arrest three ‘one chance’ robbers in Lagos

    Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials have arrested three notorious ‘one chance’ robbers at abule-egba.

    This was disclosed on the official LASTMA’s X page on Thursday, January 4.

    The Director of LASTMA’s Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed in a press release that LASTMA personnel apprehended the suspects along with their operational vehicle, a ‘T4’ commercial bus (APP 406 YE), at the U-turn area of Abule-Egba.

    It was gathered that the robbers were being chased by members of the public after they pushed a passenger who had just been robbed off their bus.

    Read Also: LASTMA officials rescue three passengers in Lagos car crash

    During the chase, they drove recklessly in order to escape arrest before they were eventually caught by LASTMA officials controlling and managing traffic around the Abule-Egba axis.

    The General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare Oki Olalekan however appealed to the public particularly commuters to be very vigilant and stop boarding commercial buses by the road side popularly called ‘So-le’.

  • Lagos promotes 267 LASTMA officers

    Lagos promotes 267 LASTMA officers

    The Management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Friday began releasing letters to 267 newly promoted Junior Staff of the Agency as approved and confirmed by the Personnel Management Board on Promotion (Junior Staff Committee).

    General Manager of LASTMA Olalekan Bakare-Oki said the promotion was in line with the ongoing strategic repositioning of the agency for a more effective service delivery to the general public particularly motorists.

    He confirmed that while 26 Junior Officers were promoted from Grade Level 05 to 06, 241 others were elevated from Grade Level 05 to 06 including males and females.

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    The General Manager confirmed further that their general promotion was approved based on good credibility and efficiency in performance on duty.

    “The agency will continue to reward diligent, committed, and hardworking personnel of the Agency to encourage them to do more,” he said.

    Bakare-Oki maintained that those few bad ones embarrassing the good image of the agency would be continuously dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Rules.

    He urged members of the public particularly motorists to always adhere to every traffic Law and Regulation as contained in the Lagos State Traffic Sector Reform Law 2018.

  • LASTMA officials rescue three passengers in Lagos car crash

    LASTMA officials rescue three passengers in Lagos car crash

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said it has rescued three commercial bus passengers from an accident that occurred at the Anthony-Oke, Oshodi area of the state.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, on the evening of Thursday, December 21.

    The statement said that two females and a male passenger were rescued in a serious accident involving a Volkswagen T4’ with number plate EPE 399 YC and a Homo Truck with number plate T -20174 LA.

    Taofiq added that a preliminary investigation revealed that the commercial Volkswagen T4 bus was crushed while in motion due to brake failure on the part of the Homo truck driver.

    The LASTMA boss said that the three accident victims including the truck driver were rescued by a LASTMA official, Abidoye Segun, who hurriedly contacted the Mosafejo Police Station and representatives of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit to the scene.

    However, the acting General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare Oki, cautioned motorists against driving carelessly and to always make sure their heavy-duty vehicles, especially the braking system, are in good condition before starting any travel, both inside and outside the State.

    The statement partly read: “Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority today rescued three commercial bus passengers involved in a serious accident at Anthony-Oke inward Oshodi, Lagos.

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    “The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, in a press statement confirmed that the three passengers (two females & one male) were rescued in a serious accident involving a Volkswagen Commercial ‘T4’ bus (EPE 399 YC) and a ‘Homo’ Truck (T 20174 LA).

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the ‘Homo’ Truck drove recklessly and crushed a commercial Volkswagen ‘T4’ bus while on motion as a result of a brake failure.

    “Immediately after the accident happened, Traffic Officer Abidoye Segun (Zebra 4), who led the rescue operation, quickly contacted Mosafejo Police Station and officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit before the three accident victims were rescued including the driver of the truck.

    “The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki, who visited the accident scene warned tanker/truck drivers against reckless driving and to always ensure their heavy-duty vehicles are in good condition including the braking system before embarking on any journey within and outside the state.

    “Oki however appealed to members of the public, particularly motorists to obey all traffic regulations in order to ensure the safety of all road users before, during, and after the Yuletide season.”

  • LASTMA sacks five officials 

    LASTMA sacks five officials 

    Following recommendations of the Personnel Management Board by the Lagos State Civil Service Commission (C.S.C), on the seven indicted officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Friday, the agency has released letters of termination of appointments and reprimand to all seven indicted officials.

    A statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, said: “While five officials indicted for corruptions received letter of termination of appointments’, the remaining two received letter of ‘reprimand’ for absence from duty posts without leave”.

    Acting General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare Oki Olalekan, said the disciplinary action taken was in line with the extant rules as guided by the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

    Oki said the agency would only get better if and when members of the public shared their experience, including positive ones, and provided evidence where applicable of perceived misdemeanours.

    He implored road users to always comply with the Traffic Law in order not to fell foul of the law, which would attract penalties as stated in the law.

    Read Also: LASTMA Acting GM: I’ll deal with corrupt officials

    all of us to promote a Greater Lagos for the benefit of all and for the realisation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s objectives in the First Pillar of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda (Traffic Management and Transportation).

    “We wish to add by informing well-meaning and concerned Lagos residents and the motoring public that we have various windows through which complaints can be channelled for prompt action – 08100565860, 08129928515, 08129928503, (08129928597 WhatsApp only) & Provost on 08129928490,” he said.

    He said such complaints shall be investigated dispassionately with despatch.

    Enjoining every motoring public to abide by the Lagos State Transportation Sector Reform Law 2018, Oki said cases against the remaining 14 indicted LASTMA officials were undergoing additional administrative review.

  • LASTMA Acting GM: I’ll deal with corrupt officials

    LASTMA Acting GM: I’ll deal with corrupt officials

    • Promises major re-organisation 

    The newly appointed Acting General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Bakare Oki, has cautioned personnel of the agency to be civil, demonstrate empathy and shun corruption in whatever guise while discharging their statutory duties on the road.

    He said this at Oshodi during his first meeting with LASTMA comptrollers, commanders and zebras on his vision and mission for the agency.

    Oki said it is a new dawn for traffic management, as the agency will go all out to ensure that commuters have seamless experience travelling across the state.

    He said he would not condone corruption or bribe-taking by any official, urging them to be civil when contravening traffic offenders.

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    “The public expect a corrupt-free LASTMA that will not be collecting bribes; therefore, you should be respectful and courteous even when you are apprehending an offender.

    “Motorists want LASTMA that is decent and neat; we won’t tolerate laziness and lateness of our officers to their duty posts,” he said.

    He stressed that the new administration would carry out major re-organisation around the Provost/Surveillance Department for effective and efficient monitoring of activities of LASTMA personnel while on duty. 

    “We will ensure a conducive working environment, provide elaborate training schemes for our officers to meet up with international standard and best practices in traffic management,” he said.

    Assuring of government commitment to the safety, welfare and right of personnel on duty, Oki warned motoring public, particularly commercial bus drivers, to always obey traffic regulations as stipulated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 (as amended)

    Responding on behalf of LASTMA personnel, the Director of Operations, Peter Gbejemede, welcomed the Acting General Manager and promised adequate loyalty to the new government.

  • Controversy over warning to ‘Iyana Oworo’ LASTMA officials over alleged extortion

    Controversy over warning to ‘Iyana Oworo’ LASTMA officials over alleged extortion

    Mixed reactions have trailed a warning banner directed at officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) at the Iyana Oworo axis of Lagos state.

    The banner generated mixed reactions from motorists, social media users on Friday.

    It reads: “Attention, Iyana Oworo LASTMA, you’ve been marked. Be warned – from concerned youths”.

    Findings by The Nation revealed that many motorists raised concerns over alleged extortion and harassment by LASTMA officials at the axis.

    Some members of the public told The Nation that some traffic officials were conniving with men in mufti to arrest and collect money from motorists dropping off passengers at the Iyana Oworo axis.

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    Reacting, Samuel Egbedara on Twitter wrote: “Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officers at Iyana Oworo Lagos Nigeria are ambushing vehicles, is that their job role?”

    Another user, Nikky said: “The LASTMA at Iyana Oworo needs rehabilitation center… always harassing people.”

    Tayo Bisuga said: “This needs to be looked into. The Lastma officials at Iyana oworo have gained notoriety for extortion of innocent motorists. The lastma hierarchy should sensitize their officers. We don’t want chaos in Oworonshoki”

    “@followlastma officials at Iyana oworoshoki are something else all they all they does it’s to arrest so they can get money from you, And the most funniest thing is that some of them don’t know the reason why they are doing the job all they are after is the money.” @brokurtor said.

    The agency was yet to react to the threat as at time of report.

    However, the agency had noted that those complaining could be traffic lawbreakers who commit infractions such as picking up/dropping off passengers or friends by the roadside thereby causing obstructions.

  • LASG to discipline 14 LASTMA officers over extortion

    LASG to discipline 14 LASTMA officers over extortion

    No fewer than 14 personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) are to face a disciplinary panel for various official infractions, the Lagos State Government has said.

    LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Taofiq Adebayo.

    Oreagba said the affected personnel would be made to appear before disciplinary panels over alleged extortion and high-handedness in line with the extant rules and regulations of the state.

    The affected personnel, according to him, include 11 senior and three junior LASTMA officers, who were allegedly caught at different locations across the state extorting money (bribes) from motorists.

    Oreagba disclosed that these affected officers whose cases had been investigated would be facing a government disciplinary committee known as the Personnel Management Board (PMB) Discipline.

    He said that the PMB would adjudicate over their cases in line with the public service rules.

    Oreagba said: “These 14 male officers were caught at different locations across the state extorting money (bribes) from motorists.”

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    “The agency will continue to mete out stiffer and severe punishment on erring officers and men in its effort to rid the agency of few bad elements tarnishing its image.

    “I urge residents, especially the motoring public, to support us by promptly reporting any errant officers at the nearest LASTMA offices or use any of the agency’s complaints hotlines (08100565860, 08129928503, 08129928515 & 08129928597) with proof of evidence.”

    The general manager advised all officers of the agency to always carry out their duties without fear or favour in accordance with the stipulated laws guiding the authority.

    He stressed that any operative caught in the process of bringing the agency or the government into disrepute would be made to face the consequence.

    Oreagba commended LASTMA officials for their dedication, dutifulness, diligence and professionalism.

    He, however, warned the motoring public to desist from inducing traffic personnel with monetary gratification to avoid being prosecuted “as the law frowns on both the giver and the receiver in the circumstance.”

    The general manager urged the general public to reach out to LASTMA for complaints/inquiries via these social media handles (Instagram – ekolastma), (Twitter ‘X’ – @followlastma), (Facebook – ekolastma) and (Youtube -LASTMA TV).

    (NAN)

  • LASTMA begins crackdown on unregistered vehicles

    LASTMA begins crackdown on unregistered vehicles

    Determined to enhance road safety, road security and strengthen the transportation sector, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) team led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, has begun crackdown on unregistered and unpainted vehicles operating within the state.

    In the past 48 hours, over 200 unregistered and unpainted vehicles have been impounded.

    Giwa, who made this known yesterday in Alausa, said such impound vehicles would not be released until they complied with the registration and safety regulations of the state.

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    He said the government went after unregistered vehicles because of the risk they posed to road safety administration and security, as they often escaped inspections and regulations, jeopardising their roadworthiness.

    He said the enforcement exercise is meant to drum the awareness that all vehicles on Lagos State roads must comply with the necessary registration and licensing requirements or risk being apprehended.

    Giwa said the enforcement operation had revealed that certain transport companies around CMS, Obalende, Ajah and Ojo Cantonment corridors have been operating their fleet of vehicles without proper documentation, stressing that the government “is taking this matter seriously and will hold such companies accountable for their actions.”