LAGOS GOVT VOWS TO INTENSIFY ENFORCEMENT ON FAKE OFFICIALS
… Captures 26,816 Traffic Violations in Three Months
The Lagos State Government has vowed to intensify enforcement exercises on curbing the illegal activities of fake enforcement officials across the State.
The State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi disclosed this today during the 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa – Ikeja, adding that the Ministry, through its task force team, would continue its sting operations in different areas of the State until impersonation of officials is eradicated.
He cautioned against revealing more details on the Ministry’s enforcement operations and Strategy, so as not to compromise its effectiveness and success, as the impostors will devise new methods to avoid been apprehended in order to continue with their nefarious activities.
Speaking further, Mr. Osiyemi also explained that the recently introduced Traffic Management Solution Device (TMS) has successfully captured 26,816 real-time traffic infringements in the last three months, making traffic enforcement more efficient and effective.
The Commissioner also disclosed a plan by the State Government to take transportation to the next level, through the launch of 2,000 new mass transit buses powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
under a Public-Private- Partnership arrangement with investors, assuring that the State Government’s commitment to public transportation is to promote an efficient inter- modal transport system that provides viable options for its citizens.
According to him, to effectively fulfill the daily transportation needs of nearly 25 million commuters within Lagos State, a series of strategic initiatives have consistently served as instruments pivotal in advancing the first pillar of the THEMES Plus development agenda, noting that there will be an expansion of infrastructure within the metropolis with the development of the Deep Sea Port in Badagry and construction of the Fourth Mainland bridge expected to commence soon.
Pointing out the renewed effort of the Government towards making transportation in the State, seamless for commuters. The Commissioner also confirmed that a private operator/ investor will, in the month of June, launch 250 new Electric powered (EV) Cabs to improve transportation in the State while protecting the environment from carbon emissions.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Gbenga Omotoso described the importance of the Transportation Sector to the economy of Lagos State and the well-being of the Citizens.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa stressed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is the only body backed by Law to carry out enforcement and management traffic in the State, noting that Local Governments are not authorised by law to apprehend motorists who commit traffic infractions.
Giwa also urged members of the public to avoid negotiating fines on the road with enforcement officers to avoid being victims of impostors.
Debunking the claim that fake enforcement officers apprehended last week around the Cele area work for the Ministry of Transportation, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olawale Musa confirmed that many of them are mere impostors.
Musa further urged members of the public to report any misdemeanour or illegal activity of any Enforcement Officer to the Ministry via the provided hotlines: 09020009000 and 09020004000, assuring that every complaint will be addressed promptly.