Lagos State Government through the state Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has impounded 9,370 vehicles with 256 casualties recorded from January 2024 to June 2024, specifically, six months for various alleged traffic violations across the metropolis.
However, in a fresh enforcement, the Traffic Monitoring and Investigation Unit, TMI, of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, MOT, as it embarked on an enforcement drive has impounded 22 vehicles found to have contravened various traffic offences.
State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, who disclosed the seizure of 22 vehicles, said enforcement drive, which took place in the Ikeja, Ogba, Billings Way, and Berger areas was targeted towards improved traffic management and road safety.
The offences committed include; illegal conversion of laybys and walkways into motor parks, unauthorized stopping on highways, indiscriminate parking, and the use of lay-bys, walkways as showrooms by car dealers, among other violations.
Osiyemi explained TMI of the ministry would continue to monitor and apprehend violators daily to maintain free flow of traffic and safeguard motorists.
He reiterated that the enforcement operations will target both commercial and private vehicles that violate Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.
Osiyemi further commended the state taskforce for the feat recorded in the enforcement of illegal activities of transport operators even as he urged for compliance by residents to avoid penalties as well as contribute to a safer, more orderly traffic system.
Meanwhile, General Manager, LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, during a meeting with relevant stakeholders in the transportation industry, further disclosed that 3,034 private vehicles were impounded, including 1,849 cars, 549 buses, and 636 Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs, among others with 256 casualties recorded during the period.
He urged the motoring public, especially motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and to respect traffic managers.
“In the last six months, it has been a mix of good, bad, and ugly, but we have managed to overcome many challenges, particularly in training and retraining our personnel.
“We have successfully trained 2,000 of our staff, both internally and externally.”
He revealed that over 900 personnel were trained externally in collaboration with the training department of the Nigerian Police, Lagos Command.
Additionally, more than 1,200 traffic officers received training from three different consultants on leadership skills, emotional intelligence, customer care, and incident management.
“We are undertaking these initiatives to improve our service delivery to Lagos residents. LASTMA aims to rebuild public confidence, particularly in public relations.”
Bakare-Oki announced that the authority’s call center would be launched soon and would be toll-free, accommodating English, Yoruba, and Pidgin to facilitate feedback.
Regarding enforcement, he highlighted that LASTMA begun by clearing the Apapa Port area, conducting several operations to remove trucks and tankers parked indiscriminately along the Apapa route.
“Apart from the Apapa corridor and Iyana-Ipaja, we also cleared areas like Idumota, Apogbon, CMS, and the Lekki-Ajah axis, improving the level of orderliness in these areas. We have made significant strides across the five divisions in Lagos in terms of enforcement, and this effort is ongoing.
“We are committed to improving travel time for Lagos residents, especially during peak periods,” he said.
Bakare-Oki added that “LASTMA is taking all necessary measures to enhance traffic management in the state, including the deployment of over 2,000 traffic equipment.
