Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has ordered officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Vehicle Inspection Office and the Kick Against Indiscipline not to harass or forcibly take over citizens’ vehicles.
Ambode spoke on Wednesday during a meeting with the officers at the Lagos House, Alausa Ikeja.
The governor noted that technology was being used to send message of reminders about vehicle documents to people, adding that such technology could also be adopted in tracking down people who committed traffic offences without forcibly seizing their vehicles.
He said, “I want to make life simpler for every Lagosian. The duty of everybody here, including me, is to make life easier for every Lagosian.
“I want you to use technology in arresting those who contravene the law instead of resorting to harassment or forcibly taking over peoples’ vehicles.
“The same technology that is used in sending message of reminders about vehicle documents could be adopted in tracking down people who commit traffic offences without forcibly seizing their cars.”
He urged the KAI officers to go back to the streets and enforce the law against street trading in a civil manner, stating that the agency should also look at the option of adopting the use of social media to achieve effectiveness.
“In addition, I don’t like the practice by the VIO officials of impounding vehicles for days. Technology should be adopted to ensure that the practice whereby vehicles are detained for long in the VIO yards is eliminated,” Ambode added.
The governor reminded the three agencies that they were the new face of Lagos, adding that he would get the commendation for whatever they did right, and blame for their errors.
He said, “Just visualise that there is no LASTMA on the road. Lagos will be more chaotic. I appeal strongly for your cooperation and support. As little as you may think your work is, you are going to be the new face of this government.”
The governor said there were reports that the traffic situation in the state had worsened, urging the agencies to immediately ensure free flow of traffic.
He asked LASTMA to identify trouble spots as it affected gridlock and deploy additional hands in such places.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, had told the officials that they should positively project the new government through their daily contact with people. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I really hope LASTMA take the Governor's words in good faith. Yes, LASTMA have been doing a good job enforcing some order in Lagos traffic. But they get a bad name when they jump into peoples' cars to "take them to our office", threatening to impound your vehicle for 3 months. If a driver commits an offense, you can take a picture of the vehicle right there, and give him or her a ticket to go and pay a fine, and let him go. That is how it is done in civilised countries. It is known that every time a LASTMA enters somebody's vehicle due to some traffic violation (whether real of cooked-up), it is to negotiate a bribe.
ReplyDeleteActually, you can see how excited LASTMA officials are when they catch someone violating traffic rules. It is like they have won a lottery. One of them enters your car and immediately starts making fake phone calls to another one to "prepare a ticket for N75,000 for me, I am bringing the motorist now". He makes the calls and then turns to tell you how he is going to impound your vehicle for 6 months. It is all to make you beg profusely, with some cash of course.
DeleteOne bane of Fashola's government was the way he enriched LASTMA officials through unreasonable sanctions. It is ok to fine a motorist for violations. But the fine should be reasonable, and you do not have to impound someone's vehicle for months - or indeed any length of time. Whenever sanctions are disproportionate, you encourage bribery and corruption because it would always be cheaper to bribe your way out. That is how being a LASTMA official became one of the most lucrative jobs in Lagos!
Sir, You are very on point with this issue. Do you know that the high handedness and wicked treatment lagosians suffered from the hands of these VIO and LASTMA Officers almost cost APC winning Lagos. Pls. sir, dont just warn them but monitor them closely. GOD BLESS YOU SIR!
ReplyDeleteVIO still impounds vehicles and the bill is so ridiculous that it encourages corruption. The fines must be reviewed if Government really wants to use it as a corrective measure and not a punitive measure.
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