By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Consequent upon a media report of alleged extortion against its officials, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has summoned all the three officers mentioned in the report before a 7-man investigation panel with a view to thoroughly look into the allegations.
The accused officers were alleged in the report by Punch Newspaper to have clamp down on motorists with trumped up charges and extorted their victims of the sum of N13.000, N15.000 and N20.000 respectively from different commercial bus drivers.
The Director, Public Affairs Department of the agency Adebayo Taofiq, who made the disclosure of the investigation panel in a release, quoted the General Manger saying that the management would not condone any act of indiscipline from any official.
It reads, ” The attention of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been drawn to a publication inside Punch Newspaper on pages 28/29 with the caption ‘Anger as LASTMA officials clamp down on motorists with trumped-up charges’ dated 18th of Nov. 2022 where 3 officials of the Agency were alleged to have collected N13.000, N15.000 and N20.000 respectively from different commercial bus drivers in Lagos.
” The General Manager of (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba disclosed over the weekend the Agency had summoned all officials mentioned inside the publication to appear before a 7-man investigation panel set up to thoroughly look into those allegations as published.
” Mr. Oreagba disclosed further that all evidence contained inside the publication (Punch) would be thoroughly scrutinized by the panel and any officials fond culpable would be made to face the consequences under the extant rule of the State Civil Service as specified.
“We have set up a 7-man investigation panel to thoroughly look into those alleged extortions levied against some of our officials and I assured the public that the outcome of the panel would be made public particularly by same Punch newspaper”
“We have it on record that some of our officials alleged to have found wanting for official misconduct or unethical behaviour recently are currently facing disciplinary panel as the management would not condone any act of indiscipline from any official”
” While encouraging members of the public to always come forward with their complaint with evidence against any misbehaved officials via the Agency ‘Complaint hotlines’ (08100565860/08174722227/08129928597), the General Manager however, pointed out that there are many LASTMA officials that are doing dedicated, conscientious and professional in carrying out their official functions as observed during the Lastma Connect programme aired on Traffic Radio with many Lagosians acknowledging the good work of traffic control personnel.
” He advised all road users in Lagos to obey the traffic regulations so as not to run foul of the Law, stressing that some violators are fond of offering traffic personnel bribes to avoid prosecution without realizing that the law frowns on both giver and the taker.
” The General Manager pointed out that any motorists with genuine complaint or report should equally reach out to LASTMA via the Agency’s various social media channels”.
