We have zero tolerance for corruption — GM, LASTMA

Since you assumed office, what has been your achievement?
Firstly, after I was appointed in November 2023, I and my team started an aggressive human capacity building through training, retraining and re-orientation of personnel for better performance. We also prioritised human relations as part of repositioning the agency, as we wanted to change the narrative. This has started yielding results.

We equally believed in getting feedback from the motoring public, which was why we launched the toll free line on July 9, 2024.We urged the public to report any infractions through this toll freeline – 080000785262, which is open from 8:00am to 10:00pm on Monday to Saturday.People can speak to us in Yoruba, English or Pidgin.

Also, we opened a Complaint Working Centre at the head office.This is an opportunity for people to come to us and give suggestions that can improve our service.We equally upgraded our research and statistics department to get adequate data on our activities. Because of our data bank, we know that from January to July this year, approximately 10,675 vehicles were impounded. Out of this figure, 6,379 of vehicles impounded belong to commercial buses commonly known as (danfo), while the remaining are private vehicles which includes cars, trucks and trailers.

What was your vision for the job when you took over?
LASTMA is mandated to ensure seamless movement of goods and services from point A to B at a reasonable travel time on Lagos roads.The agency is also to stimulate the state’s economic growth and promote safety and security on Lagos roads.

How are you synergising with the other law enforcement agencies?
We have a robust and cordial relationship with all law enforcement agencies whenever our path crosses.Whenever there is an accident or fire outbreak,the Police, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Ambulance (LASAMBU), and other related agencies are always in tandem.

What is your relationship with the various transport unions?
During the ember months last year, we set up a 55-member female elite corps.They were mandated to embark on massive public enlightenment across the five divisions of the state.They visited all the garages. Apart from holding meetings with the stakeholders like National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), they also engaged the drivers and conductors on the need to obey traffic rules and ensure safety of passengers.We have a 4000 work force comprising of persons from different tribes who speak the major languages in Nigeria.
During the ember months, we do invite leaders of various motor unions and engage them in pep talks on how they can help and enhance transportation in the state.

There are allegations of your officers exhorting from motorists, what’s your take on this?
Part of the mandate when I assumed office include giving priority to discipline and accountability among the rank and file.We have zero tolerance for corruption. We set up a provost unit to curb the excesses of our men. We also set up surveillance unit in which members in mufti act like undercover agents to arrest erring officers.This has yielded results in the last 10 months. So far, we have dismissed eight officers, demoted 20 and gave strict warning letters to  30 others. The discipline was done according to the Lagos State Public Service’s Rules and Regulations.We are poised to change the narrative and serve the public better.

How do you handle erring motorists?
After apprehending and impounding a vehicle, the officer involved must gather substantial pictorial evidence before such vehicle could be taken to any of our removal yards. Removal yards are across the five divisions of the state where it will be attended to by General Duty Officer.

The officer after scrutinising the pictorial evidence will direct them to a mobile court which is at the head office.The mobile court is headed by a magistrate.The magistrate has the final say. LASTMA has no further input.

What is your message to the motoring public?
I want to appeal to the motoring public in Lagos State to see LASTMA officials as their friends.They should know we are on the road to ensure their safety and seamless free flow of traffic.They should strive to obey traffic rules for the overall benefit of road users.

What is guiding principle?
My guiding principle is to serve humanity in any capacity and give the greatest good to the greatest number of people.I believe everything is temporal, nothing is permanent.We must live to serve humanity.