By Oluwatosin Maliki
In a bid to improve public trust and address concerns about corruption, LASTMA has dismissed five officers and issued reprimands to two others found guilty of violating agency policies and ethical standards.
This was contained in statement issued to newsmen by the Public Relations Officer, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday.
The statement explained that the Lagos State Civil Service Commission had approved every proposal the Personnel Management Board had made regarding the seven LASTMA officers who had been indicted during their meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2023.
Taofiq stated, “While five LASTMA officials indicted for corruption received a letter of termination of appointment’, remaining two received a letter of ‘reprimand’ for absence from duty posts without leave.”
Meanwhile, Taofiq quoted the agency’s acting General Manager, Bakare Oki, as saying that the disciplinary action taken against the officers, was inline with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
Furthermore, he noted that the agency would appreciate the public’s sharing of experiences, both positive and negative, alongside the provision of relevant evidence regarding the alleged misdemeanours, which would help improve their operation.
Hence, Taofiq pleaded with motorists to always abide by the state traffic law, so as to avoid breaking the law and facing the penalties that are stipulated in the legislation.
He added that the law was put in place to protect all road users and assured the public that these complaints would be treated quickly and impartially.
According to Taofiq, the cases against the remaining 14 indicted LASTMA officials are awaiting further administrative review, while admonishing the driving public to strictly follow the Lagos State Transportation Sector Reform Law 2018.
He said, “This is necessary for all of us to promote a Greater Lagos for the benefit of all and for the realisation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s objectives in the First Pillar of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda (Traffic Management and Transportation).”
“We wish to add by informing well-meaning and concerned Lagos residents and the motoring public that we have various windows through which complaints can be channelled for prompt action – 08100565860, 08129928515, 08129928503, (08129928597 WhatsApp only) and Provost on 08129928490.”
“He assured the public that such complaints shall be investigated dispassionately with dispatch.”
“While enjoining every motoring public to abide by the Lagos State Transportation Sector Reform Law 2018, Mr Bakare Oki disclosed that cases against the remaining 14 indicted LASTMA officials are undergoing additional administrative review,” the statement concluded.