The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) recorded 20,000 vehicles for traffic infractions through its Traffic Management Solution (TMS) devices in 2024.

The infractions included illegal parking, traffic obstruction, and dropping or picking up passengers at undesignated bus stops. LASTMA introduced the TMS devices in July 2023 to enhance traffic management and enforcement.

The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, Mr Taofiq Adebayo, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos. He also revealed that the authority physically apprehended 16,824 vehicles for traffic violations during the same period, with 8,535 of them being commercial vehicles.

According to Adebayo, in 2023, LASTMA physically apprehended 22,927 vehicles, including 15,025 commercial vehicles. This represents a reduction of 6,103 in total apprehensions and 6,490 in commercial vehicle offences, highlighting the impact of the agency’s enlightenment campaigns.

“The enlightenment campaign of the agency yielded positive results,” Adebayo said. He also noted that LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who assumed office in November 2023, prioritised officer training. “By December 2024, out of about 4,335 LASTMA staff, 4,305 were trained in emotional intelligence, work ethics, and human rights.”

On fines for traffic infractions, Adebayo clarified that they were in line with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018. He explained that officers issue referral notices for infractions, which are then taken to the Lagos State Mobile Court.

“Before our officers apprehend a vehicle, substantial evidence, such as video or photographic proof, is gathered and tendered at the mobile court. We don’t impose fines; the magistrate determines the fine, which is paid into government coffers,” he explained.

Adebayo also highlighted measures to maintain accountability, including the introduction of a toll-free line to prevent motorists from being manipulated into paying fines to the wrong hands. He further stated that LASTMA dismissed, suspended, and demoted erring officers in 2024.

“During the year, 26 officers faced disciplinary action. Thirteen were dismissed, five were demoted, and eight were suspended,” he said. Also, LASTMA cleared illegally parked tankers around the Dangote Refinery and across the Lekki Free Trade Zone in a decisive enforcement operation carried out over the weekend.

This action followed repeated warnings by the Lagos State government against such infractions and was described as a proactive measure to prevent disruptions to vehicular movement.

The operation ensured smooth access for trucks entering and exiting the Dangote Refinery while safeguarding traffic flow along the Lekki-Ajah corridor. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, who directed the operation, reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining order and a traffic-free Lagos. He stressed that the indiscriminate parking of tankers, particularly around the Dangote Refinery, the Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zone, and the Lekki-Ajah Expressway, would no longer be tolerated.

Giwa disclosed that alongside the operation at the refinery and free trade zone, LASTMA also removed 120 illegally parked vehicles, including private cars and commercial buses, from bridges stretching from Ebute-Ero to Ejalonibu on Lagos Island. He expressed disappointment over the continued use of bridges as unauthorised parking and garage spaces despite repeated warnings.

He assured residents that the government would sustain surveillance in these areas, leveraging the newly introduced ‘Eto’ system, which regulates the entry and exit of trucks at the Dangote Refinery. In addition, LASTMA has established a dedicated Traffic Monitoring Zone (TMZ) in the Lekki axis to oversee vehicular operations and curb disruptions.

“All vehicles, including tankers, private cars, and commercial buses impounded during this enforcement exercise, will be promptly arraigned before the Lagos State mobile courts,” Giwa said. “This serves as both a punitive measure and a deterrent to others engaging in similar illegal activities.”

Meanwhile, LASTMA has reaffirmed its commitment to improving road safety and traffic management across Lagos. This was highlighted during a two-day leadership retreat themed “Strategic Leadership for Effective Traffic Management in Lagos,” held at The Colossus Lagos, Ikeja.

The retreat, aimed at equipping senior officers with leadership and planning skills, focused on addressing transportation challenges in the bustling metropolis. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Giwa, stressed the importance of proactive planning.

“Reflecting on the hurdles faced last December, particularly during the festive season, we identified the need for a comprehensive and strategic approach to traffic management,” Giwa said, adding that the retreat provided officers with tools to ensure smoother road journeys.

Bakare-Oki, described human capacity development as a cornerstone of the agency’s rebranding efforts. He emphasised LASTMA’s mission to ensure road safety and reduce travel time, adding, “We are resolute in our commitment to creating accident-free roads across Lagos.”

Former Lagos Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Ponnle Ajibola, called for adaptability and collaboration in transport crisis management, urging leaders to work cohesively to tackle challenges effectively.