LASTMA can arrest traffic offenders – Lagos govt

The Lagos State Government has debunked the report making the rounds on social media that it has banned officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority from enforcing traffic laws and arresting traffic offenders in the state.

While advising the “motoring public” to ignore the “fake news”, the state government stated that LASTMA would continue to discharge its duty of ensuring the free flow of traffic and enforcing the laws against violators of road traffic regulations in the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, late Friday.

The government of Lagos stated that the fake news, which, according to it, had been debunked several times, was designed to pitch motorists against officials of LASTMA.

Advertisement

The state government said it was not contemplating the withdrawal of the power to enforce traffic law against erring motorists from LASTMA.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will continue to discharge its duty of ensuring the free flow of traffic and enforcing the laws against violators of road traffic regulations.

“The motoring public is, therefore, advised to ignore the fake news trending on some social media platforms that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has warned LASTMA officials not to arrest any motorist.

“The statement purported to have emanated from Mr. Governor reads: ‘Henceforth, no LASTMA Official should arrest any motorist, either commercial or private. The duty of LASTMA is to manage traffic and not to arrest anyone. I have heard a lot of complaints, any official that violates the rule will be severely dealt with,’ which is untrue and a mere fabrication.

“This fake news which has been debunked severally before it resurfaced on social media platforms, was ostensibly designed to pitch the public, especially motorists, against officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the State Government is not contemplating the withdrawal of the power to enforce traffic law against erring motorists, as it believed that public education and enlightenment should be complemented by the enforcement of rules and regulations to ensure sanity on our roads.”