LAGOS State Traffic
Management Authority (LASTMA) officials can arrest erring motorists and
impound their vehicles, the agency’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chris
Olakpe, clarified yesterday.
Olakpe, a retired
Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), was reacting to reports that the
officials did not have such powers.
He spoke while
receiving in his office, members of the Humanitarian Voluntary Association for
Community Development, who came to condole with him over the death of 18 LASTMA
officials in the line of duty last year.
Olakpe said the
laws also stipulated penalties for neglect of traffic directions and
disobedience of traffic control personnel.
The LASTMA boss said: “One thing the people must know is that the purpose of
laws in any state is to regulate human conduct and punish violators, to ensure
safety and sanity on the roads and at the same time regulate the function and
authority of traffic personnel.”
LASTMA’s
findings, he said, showed that gridlock was caused by the unusual driving
behaviour of some motorists, adding that it was important for the public to
cooperate with traffic officers while on the road.
Instead of taking
the law into their hands, motorists should take advantage of LASTMA’s open-door
policy by reporting any erring officer, he said.
Olakpe said : “From January
to date, over 30 traffic officials have been brutalised by ill-tempered
motorists. As an agency, we owe it to our officials and their families the
responsibility of ensuring their security and safety while performing their duties,”
he said.
He said LASTMA
would work with sister agencies and the public to deepen collaboration and
cooperation and protect traffic officials.
The vehicle of
any motorist, who proved to be an agent provocateur, Olakpe said, would be
impounded and taken to LASTMA yard in accordance with the law.
The LASTMA CEO
said his men would soon begin another training on civility, politeness and
protocol of arrest with emphasis on respect for the public.
He said measures
had been put in place to reduce gridlock during Easter and beyond.
The group’s
president, Bankole Odunuga, acknowledged the sacrifice and courage displayed by
LASTMA officials, despite the hazards of the job.
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