OrderPaperToday – Newly appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Christian Olakpe has declared that he would not entertain pleas from family, relatives and friends over erring motorists apprehended by his men on duty.
Olakpe, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), who appeared before the Lagos State House of Assembly to explain the constant traffic gridlock in the state, told the lawmakers of his firm determination to re-invigorate LASTMA in three months.
Warning that there would be no waivers in the enforcement of traffic laws under his leadership, the traffic agency boss said there would be strict compliance stressing that he has asked 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,” he said, adding:
“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.
He continued: “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 boots and torchlights to our men.”
In his reaction, Speaker of the Assembly, Idowu 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.
