Why we stay off Lagos roads – LASTMA

FOLLOWING outcry by motorists and commuters in Lagos as a result of the traffic gridlock that has greeted Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital city, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has explained why officials of the agency stayed off the roads in the state.

According to the General Manager of the traffic management authority, Olajide Oduyoye, officers stayed off the road “owing to the recent #EndSARS violence, which resulted in looting, arson and destruction of 12 LASTMA zonal offices and physical attacks of LASTMA officers, which left unfortunate physical and psychological scars on operational personnel.”

“All the same, we are taking stock, restructuring and re-strategising and this is the reason why we have only about sixty percent of our beats at some strategic intersections/ junctions to eliminate frictions, reduce delays and ensure better flow of traffic.

“We are aware of the traffic congestion suffered by commuters as a result of many damaged traffic light junctions, absence of BRT bus operations, illegal vehicular movements and the general lack of respect for driving ethics by some. In all, the safety of every LASTMA personnel as with all Lagos residents is equally paramount,” Oduyoye added. .

The LASTMA boss assured Lagosians who had been going through harrowing traffic snarl across the city that LASTMA was set to fully return to manage the road traffic, especially as the different areas become less volatile.

He commended all LASTMA officials for their cooperation and asked that all stakeholders should look forward to better days ahead.

Earlier, LASTMA Director of Operations, Bolaji Oreagba had assured the General Manager that “we will do what we are statutorily noted for within the ambit of our terms of reference with agrarian vigour and determination that we support the State Government.”