Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
November 9, 2015 – The new Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Chris Olakpe believes he will soon be the enemy of the residents of Lagos State with the way he wants to enforce traffic laws in the state.
Olakpe, who was invited to the Lagos State House of Assembly to explain constant traffic gridlock in the state, told the lawmakers that he would re-invigorate LASTMA in three months.
He said he was not new to Lagos, adding that there would be no waivers in the enforcement of traffic laws in the state under his leadership.
He said further that there would be strict compliance with the traffic laws in the state and that he has even warned his friends and relatives not to call him over any erring motorist, while promising to deal with deviant LASTMA officials.
“I am an advocate of reward for good work and punishment for evil work. I can dismiss any officer on the spot and we are going to revive LASTMA within a short period of time. We will give the authority the impetus it needs.
“Once you are dismissed, your name would be published in the press and in our gazette. There would be reduction of ranks of offending officers. I will warn my men seriously and I will visit the Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army for his support and any military man that beats a LASTMA official would be dealt with.
“I have friends in the Nigerian Army and the Police as a former police spokesman. We also plan to go to Ajah to do a participatory observation of what is going on there,” he said.
The LASTMA CEO however, appealed to the state government to provide designated bus stops and vowed that any motorist, who plies one way or BRT dedicated lane would have his or her vehicle impounded and the owner would have to pay a fine .
He said that he was ready to be dealt with by anybody in the state, adding that it is now a do-or-die affair.
“I will work until we get a new improved LASTMA. Our men would be visible and accessible. Whoever goes against the law would be pursued with power bike by LASTMA officials. There would be mobile courts. I am still fit and strong to receive phone calls anytime of the day.
“On enforcement, we will touch many places and we want the local government chairmen in the state to help us do some roads in their areas. We also want the Speaker of the House to help us increase our funding so that we can give raincoats, rain booth and torchlights to our men,” he states.
In his reaction, Speaker Obasa observed that the state has the capacity to ensure free flow of traffic and that Mr. Olakpe should ensure that he achieve his plans as promised within three months.
“Once the traffic is free, nobody would ply one way. I am assuring you of our support at all times and we will do everything necessary to ensure that LASTMA functions and progresses. We are concerned and passionate about traffic in Lagos State as the representatives of over 20 million people,” he said.
