House summons LASTMA boss over traffic gridlocks

LAGOS State House of Assembly yesterday summoned the General Manager of the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Bashir Braimah, ordering him to appear before the lawmakers to explain return of traffic gridlocks to the metropolis. The House issued the summon order following members’ concerns that there was problem with the traffic management authority.

Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, said though the new Commissioner of Transport, Dayo Mobereola, should immediately direct relevant agencies to ease the traffic situation in the state, the General Manager (GM) of LASTMA must address the House on the issue. He said: “LASTMA was established to ease traffic in the state, and also provide jobs for people and any official of the agency that is not ready to work should be shown the way out. We have to urgently do something about this.”

Obasa’s deputy, Wasiu Sanni-Eshinlokun, added that the GM must explain why his men have compromised in their their zero-tolerance for driving against traffic and commercial motorcyclists riding on restricted roads.

Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade stated that the intention of governor Akinwunmi Ambode in changing the approach of LASTMA officials on the way they handle traffic offenders was fair and good. He said contrary to public belief, the governor did not stop LASTMA officials from enforcing Traffic Laws.

“We need to enlighten our people more now that we have commissioners in place. We should call on the Commissioner for Information and that of Transportation to collaborate to enlighten our people on traffic rules and the transportation commissioner should effect the genuine intention of the Governor on transportation in the state,” Agunbiade said.