LASTMA, FRSC COMMIT TO STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP ON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN LAGOS

 By Ayodele Ifasakin 

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have agreed to strengthen their partnership in managing traffic across Lagos State.

This agreement was announced recently by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki during a courtesy visit by the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Jonathan Owoade and his team to LASTMA Headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.

Mr. Bakare-Oki welcomed the initiative and reiterated LASTMA's commitment to collaborating with the FRSC on traffic decongestion, public enlightenment, and the enforcement of traffic regulations. He expressed confidence that the partnership would bring about positive outcomes for road users in Lagos.

He further disclosed that between January and June 2024, a total of 9,370 vehicles were penalised for traffic violations in Lagos. 

"Let me emphasise that 50% of these contravened vehicles were commercial buses, and all were prosecuted in the Lagos State Mobile Court in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018", Mr. Bakare-Oki stated.

He also highlighted several recent initiatives aimed at enhancing road safety and traffic management, including the launch of a toll-free call centre (080000527862), a Walk-In Complaint Centre, a Whistle Blower App, and the upgrade of both the Agency's website and the Planning, Research and Statistics Department.

In his address, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer Mr. Jonathan Owoade emphasised that the FRSC remains Nigeria's leading agency in road traffic management and safety administration, with a strong commitment to eradicating road traffic crashes and creating a safe motoring environment. 

He confirmed that the newly introduced vehicle number plates are designed to enhance security by being visible from about 50 metres away.

The FRSC leader also called for a special public enlightenment campaign to educate motorists on the importance of various road signs.

The meeting was attended by the top management teams of both LASTMA and FRSC.

LASTMA Dismisses Officer Over Misconduct, Bribe Allegation | AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), has announced the dismissal of an officer of the agency after being found guilty of misconduct by a Disciplinary Committee.

A statement signed by the General Manager, Mr. Olajide Oduyoye, said the officer, who was seen in a viral post on Facebook soliciting for bribe from a vehicle owner, faced disciplinary action in accordance with the extant rules of the Lagos State Civil Service and, subsequently, his appointment terminated.

Oduyoye explained that the Personnel Management Board (Disciplinary Committee) set up to probe the allegation of bribery, corruption and serious act unbecoming of a Public Officer leveled against him, held a meeting on Friday, 11th June, 2021 and found him culpable of gross misconduct as stipulated in the Public Service Rules.

He noted that every organisation has its bad eggs but deemed it unfair for members of the public to categorise all LASTMA staff as corrupt, urging members of the public to share their experiences and provide evidence whenever they encounter misdemeanour by the agency's staff. 

The LASTMA Chief Operating Officer implored road users in Lagos to always comply with the State Traffic Law in order not to run foul of the law, pointing out that violation will attract consequences.

Emphasising the need for compliance, Oduyoye said, “This is necessary in order to promote the ‘Greater Lagos’ vision for the benefit of all and for the realisation of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Development Agenda, particularly in respect of the Traffic Management and Transportation pillar.

He also revealed that 11 officers of the Agency have so far faced various disciplinary actions from Y2020 till date, stressing that some of the officers had their appointments terminated, some demoted and others reprimanded for various infractions.

LASTMA GM Returns N52,000 Illegally Collected From Motorist In Lagos | AgegePulse Magazine

General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olajide Oduyoye, has returned N52,000 which was illegally collected from a motorist in Lagos by one police officer.

This was revealed in a statement quoted by the LASTMA Boss, "On Monday, I investigated a case of extortion involving a lady whose vehicle was arrested wrongfully when the police squad attached to the LASTMA Enforcement Unit went to enforce the law on one-way driving without LASTMA personnel. 

"While making arrests, this innocent motorist was also picked up and her vehicle brought to the headquarters. The vehicle was not booked for any offence. They negotiated from N150,000 and ended up fining her N52,000 using a POS for payment. 

"She then called the LASTMA  contact number and the incident was brought to my notice. I insisted on investigating the issue, identified the officer involved and the money was retrieved.

"We called the lady to return to LASTMA Headquarters to collect her money. She came with her mum and they were extremely grateful. We will be sending a report to the Police formation for them to start the process of reprimanding the officer involved.

"We will not tolerate any negative attitude from our officers or those attached to any of our enforcement units. We continue to encourage road users to send reports of any errant officer via any of our complaint channels." Engr. Oduyoye Concluded.

LASTMA DEBUNKS SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT ON BAN OF TRAFFIC OFFICERS

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has debunked a trending social media report alleging that traffic officials, particularly LASTMA officers, have been banned from apprehending violators of traffic laws and restricted to traffic control.

A release issued by the LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olajide Oduyoye refuted the claim that the decision emanated from a meeting between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Executive Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at an unspecified date, time or venue.

Oduyoye maintained that there was no meeting between Lagos State Government and the NURTW, stressing that the 2018 Traffic Law clearly spelt out the duties of LASTMA officers, saying that it is irresponsible and mischievous for any individual to insinuate that Governor Sanwo-Olu gave directives contrary to the law.

While noting that Transportation and Traffic Management constitute a vital part of the present administration's T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, Oduyoye recalled that the government had always emphasised the need for LASTMA officials to uphold the law, irrespective of anyone involved.

The General Manager, therefore, advised the public to ignore and disregard the fake news designed to confuse and hoodwink motorists into breaking traffic rules, noting that violators will face the sanctions prescribed by the law.

 LASTMA

#lagostraffic
#lastma
 ​

Breaking: LASTMA official commits suicide

AgegePulse Magazine

An unidentified man with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on Saturday committed suicide by hanging himself on a Mango tree in Lagos.

The corpse was lowered from a tree as seen through a video on social media.

Details Shortly….

The Nation Newspaper

Soldiers assault LASTMA officials after they are stopped for taking BRT lane

AgegePulse

Soldiers have been caught on camera assaulting LASTMA officials at Onipanu area of Lagos after they were stopped for driving through the BRT lane.

The soldiers who were in a commercial bus came down and were trying to intimidate the LASTMA officials who were slapped and shoved off while they threatened to deal with them for having the audacity to try stopping them from plying the BRT lane.

There were about 3 soldiers in the bus, the assault looks like it started with the one driving first who launched the attack on the LASTMA officials who was challenging him while a Police officer also tried calming the air.

He ran after the LASTMA official to hit him, then other soldiers appeared and one can be seen shoving another official close to him. The driver was encouraged by his colleagues to move the vehicle but the LASTMA official behind was heard insisting that they cannot go anywhere.


Lagos Reporters
https://lagosreporters9ja.com/2019/11/15/soldiers-assault-lastma-officials-after-they-are-stopped-for-taking-brt-lane/

LASTMA, FRSC Give Alternative Routes As Lagos Shuts Third Mainland Bridge On Thursday

The Third Mainland Bridge, which is one of the three bridges from Lagos Island to the Mainland, will on Thursday, August 23, be shut for four days, according to the state government.

This was disclosed in a statement signed on Sunday by the Lagos State Deputy Director, Public Affairs Ministry Of Works and Infrastructure, Sina Thorpe.
The bridge, which will be closed a day after 2018 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, is to allow investigative Maintenance Test to be carried out on the Bridge.

The shutdown will start from midnight of August 23 to midnight of August 26, 2018.
The federal government had earlier announced plans to shut the bridge in July but postponed the action after consulting with the state government and other stakeholders.

Reacting to the closure last month, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) also advised Lagos residents to use Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and waterway transportation during the repair of Third Mainland Bridge.

FRSC speaks on alternative routes:

“We advise residents in that axis to ensure that they use alternative routes or other means of transportation to avoid traffic jam.

“Motorists who have nothing to do at the Lagos Island should stay off at this period and people should make use of waterways and BRT that has designated routes.

“People from Ikorodu going to Apapa should endeavour to use waterways transport system, at least for the main time to avoid delay on the road.”

“We are identifying various routes to cover during the process of repair like Cater Bridge; Ido to Ijora Olopa to Eko Bridge.

“Mostly, the vehicular movement will focus on Ikorodu Road up to Eko Bridge; but I am assuring you that enough personnel will be deployed to curb gridlocks.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos government urged motorists and residents to minimise non-essential travel and movements during the four-day closure.

LR

CONTRACTORS COMPLETE SKYWALK BRIDGE OF TWO TERMINALS IN OSHODI

…As LASG Thanks Motorists, Residents For Understanding

The contractor handling construction of the iconic Oshodi Transport Interchange on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Planet Projects Limited has completed the hoisting of Skywalk Bridge linking terminals one and two of the interchange.

The exercise, which started on Sunday evening and lasted till early hours of Wednesday, was supervised by relevant government agencies, and supported by Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), among others to ensure security and safety. 

The State Government had announced partial restriction of movement on Oshodi flyover to enable it advance the construction of the transport interchange.


Giving details on the exercise, Managing Director of Planet Projects, Mr. Biodun Otunola said the hoisting of the pedestrian bridge of the Oshodi transport interchange was a significant milestone in the construction of the project, saying that all hands were on deck to ensure the interchange is delivered between October and November, 2018.



“This bridge is the longest free-standing bridge in the history of this country. It spanned 53.2metres. It is only supported at the two ends without any support at the middle and it is part of the skywalk for the Oshodi Transport Interchange.



“This particular one links terminal one and terminal two. We also have another one that is linking terminals two and three and that is about 155metres long. The plan is that people can move from one end of the terminal to another be it from terminal one, two and three and then the nature of the terminal is such that we have six lifts and one escalator, and so in all we have 18 lifts and three escalators.

“For anyone to access each of the sky bridge, you have to use the lift and we also have staircase for emergency exit. The skywalk is part of the features of the Oshodi Transport Interchange designed to make travel pleasurable, enjoyable, safe and more comfortable for commuting Lagosians,” Otunola said.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Taiwo Salaam, said the exercise was a critical stage of the construction of the interchange, saying it was in line with the vision of the State Government to redefine public transportation in the State.

“What is happening here is connectivity of terminal one and two of the transport interchange which has three terminals. It is a skywalk for pedestrians to link the terminals and this is an intermodal connectivity that is taking place.



“The dream of Lagos State Government under his Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is to bring a befitting public-passenger transport that is sustainable, safe, frequent and reliable to people and the new Bus Reform Project needs all these appurtenances and infrastructure to be able to effectively run public-passenger transportation,” Salaam said.



He said the Oshodi interchange, when operational, would process minimum of one million passengers daily, while the Ikeja Bus Terminal which was constructed as part of the vision to transform public transportation would process 600,000 passengers daily.



“If we compare the two with processing of passengers to local and international airport, they are far below at about 21,000 passengers, and so for us in Lagos, we believe there is need to bequeath functional, efficient, safe and comfortable transportation system to our people,” Salaam said.



He said as part of plan for intermodal transport system, work was progressing on the Blue Line  as well as Red Line Rail projects, while the State Government was also constructing new ferry routes and jetties to boost water transportation.         



On his part, General Manager of LASEMA, Mr Adesina Tiamiyu said the agency was principally at the scene of the construction to provide the necessary safety backup and help to ensure hitch-free exercise.



“As an agency, the Oshodi interchange is a massive project and we are here first to give support to the project and secondly, we have also come with the capacity that we have to be able to provide an emergency services if the need arises.


“We have medical team with an ambulance on standby; we have lifting capacity with a forklift that could assist if they need them; we also have tow trucks because we have done some diversions here and if there are issues with broken down vehicles, we have to quickly do that so that we don’t lock up this road,” Tiamiyu said.

Meanwhile, the State Government has commended motorists and residents for their understanding and cooperation while the hoisting of the skywalk bridge lasted.


Salaam said the total cooperation of motorists during the period the flyover was closed to traffic, led to the completion of the installation process without any hitch.


The State Government also commended the project team led by Messrs Planet Projects Limited, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies community for making the exercise come to completion safely and without any incidents.

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*AgegePulse Magazine...the mouthpiece of Agege/Orile Agege
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Apapa gridlock: Lagos reconstitutes Joint Security Task Force to ensure sanity

…Orders Police, other Security Agencies to strictly enforce Traffic Law, okada ban

…Restates ban on industrial fireworks, assures residents of peaceful yuletide celebration

The Lagos State Government has reconstituted the Joint Security Task Force established to tackle Apapa gridlock and other security threats within the axis brought about by the blockade of major roads in the area by tankers and containerized trucks.

The Apapa gridlock, in the past few weeks, had worsened due to breakdown of operations at the ports located in the axis.

Rising from the monthly Security Council meeting held at the Lagos House in Ikeja chaired by the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and attended by heads of security formations in the State, the State Government said the Task Force comprising of police, military, officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) would immediately be deployed to the axis to ensure sanity and contain any potential security threat.

While briefing Government House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal said while the issues that gave rise to the gridlock were being addressed, the Task Force would ensure that the roads in the axis were not totally locked down, and also prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the gridlock to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

Edgal, who addressed the briefing alongside commanders of security formations in the State, said: “We deliberated extensively on the Apapa gridlock and the Governor has approved with immediate effect the reconstitution of a Joint Task Force made up of police, the military, LASTMA and FRSC officials to ensure that whilst the major problems that gave rise to that situation in the first instance are being tackled, we on our part as security agencies, will ensure that we have a good semblance of decency on our roads.

“We will ensure that we create a corridor for smaller vehicles and ensure that there is no complete blockade to free flow of traffic. We will also have plain cloth and uniformed security agencies ensuring that there is no crime in the axis due to the traffic gridlock.”

The CP, who assured residents that every necessary arrangement had been made to ensure peaceful yuletide season, said the Council also approved increased visibility and patrol in all parts of the State, especially in areas there are traffic gridlock as a result of construction activities.

Already, Edgal said due to increased patrol, about 35 notorious traffic robbers were recently arrested in Ilupeju and Oshodi axis, many of whom he said are ex-convicts and would soon be charged to court at the end of investigation.

He added that as a result of the community policing and community safety partnership strategy adopted by the Lagos Police Command, there had been about 35 per cent drop in issues of residential robberies, while more boats had been handed over to Marine Police by the State Government to secure the waterways and riverine areas especially to checkmate incursions by militants and secure schools in such areas, in addition to the Tactic Guards already formed.

Speaking on ongoing clampdown on commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada on restricted routes, Edgal said security agencies in the State have been given marching orders to strictly enforce the traffic law, and that no lawlessly or breakdown of law and order would be condoned.

He particularly admonished motorists and transport unions to impress it on their members to obey traffic laws, just as he said Okada riders must not only refrain from restricted routes, but also use helmets both for rider and passenger and not carry more than one person at a time, among other rules of engagement.

“We have the Lagos State Traffic Law and it is our responsibility to enforce the law. Motorists, motorcyclists and other form of road users must obey the law. Our men have been mandated to enforce all aspects of the law not only prohibition along some routes but also those aspects that have to do with safety. We don’t want officers and men to be challenged unduly when they are enforcing the law and I want to use this opportunity to call on the unions, especially the Okada unions to call their members to cooperate with the police. They should not form themselves into pressure and riotous groups to challenge the police and other security agencies,” Edgal said.

He said aside the security measures already put in place for residents and visitors to experience a peaceful yuletide season, any resident who sell, distribute or use industrial fireworks would be arrested and charged to court, saying that the ban on such is still very much in force.

Besides, Edgal thanked Lagosians for their cooperation with security agencies so far and urged people to continue to volunteer useful information that would help arrest potential security threat.