Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
September 3, 2015 – The Lagos State Government has directed officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to henceforth desist from apprehending and impounding vehicles of traffic offenders.
The government directed them to adopt the system of booking traffic offenders, rather than apprehending their vehicles.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu handed over the directive to the officials while briefing top echelon of LASTMA on government’s new policy thrust in the transportation sector.
He said that while government appreciates the invaluable contribution of the traffic managers to the current traffic situation in the state, more emphasis should be placed on flawless flow of traffic.
“That is the minimum we owe the people of the state”, he said, adding that LASTMA should synergize with other security agencies to ensure that the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 is enforced.
He therefore directed LASTMA officials to consider alternatives traffic management methods rather than physical apprehension and arrest.
He assured Lagos residents that a more perfect traffic management and documentation procedure is being put in place where traffic offenders are booked and given a grace period for payment and defaulters apprehended at home through the information on the motor vehicle database.
“Since LASTMA officials are a reflection of the state government, they should ensure that their activities add value to the government’s covenant with Lagos residents to make life easier for them”, he said.
He however implored Lagos residents to reciprocate the government’s humanness by obeying all traffic laws and regulations.
Whenu also called on all motorists, whose vehicles have been apprehended by LASTMA in the past, to visit the appropriate LASTMA depot for claim of their vehicles after proper documentation, assuring them of a more flexible process for prompt service delivery.
