Arrests: LASTMA debunks news of Sanwo-Olu warning to agency

By Aisha Cole

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has debunked the news of  Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu purportedly warning its officials not to arrest any motorist, either commercial or private.

LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, debunked the news in a statement issued by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, in Lagos on Friday.

Oreagba said that the false report was the handiwork of faceless mischief makers, which had been repeatedly circulated online since February 2020, despite being severally refuted by LASTMA.

He said he had previously debunked the fake online news alleging that LASTMA officials were banned from arresting motorists who flout the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

The general manager warned residents of Lagos, especially motorists, to be wary of online reports aimed at causing chaos and mischief within the society.

“The motoring public is advised to ignore and disregard all fake news circulated by faceless individuals and designed to lead them into breaking the traffic law of the state.

 “It is important to note that all the working ethics of the authority, including all its operations, are being regulated by laws.

“So, I wonder why some individuals choose to always mislead others to contravene the traffic law of the State as amended by the State House of Assembly in 2018.

‘This is because part of the agency’s responsibility is to uphold and enforce the traffic laws of the state, so officers and men of LASTMA will not hesitate to enforce those laws.

“Hence, our men shall enforce laws violated, to transform the state’s transportation system towards ensuring the free flow of traffic and reducing road accidents,” he said.

Oreagba said that LASTMA was presently operating with modern technological innovations in addressing traffic challenges.

He said that this was done by equipping traffic management personnel with new hand-held Traffic Management Solution (TMS) devices that capture real-time traffic violations on the road, in addition to a signalised intersection and junction improvement.

Oreagba thanked all road users for their support and cooperation with LASTMA which had culminated in the reduction in travel time.

He advised motorists to call any of the Agency’s hotlines (08100565860, 08129928503 & 08129928597) for any inquiry or clarification on the activities of the agency.

(NAN).