.As AIG warns police to stop harassing LASTMA officials

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government, through the Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, has commenced palliative work on major deplorable roads, including the popular Berliet Bus stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, and Ojota, Ikorodu Road, as part of measures to ease movement of traffic.

The moves, it was gathered became necessary, following the effect of torrential rainfall in the state that left many roads in deplorable condition, thereby, posing danger to lives and property of road users.

It will be recalled that penultimate weekend, at Ojota Bus stop, along Ikorodu Road, tragedy occurred when a containerized truck fell on a commercial bus killing five people and injured three other occupants due solely to bad spot on the road.

Also, on daily basis motorists are held up for several hours in traffic at Berliet Bus Stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

The Special Adviser/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, on Lagos Public Works to the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during the inspection to some of the sites at the weekend said the governor gave the directive to fix the roads as part of measures to prevent avoidable loss of lives and traffic gridlock. There has been public outcry over the state of Lagos roads in recent times resulting in terrible traffic situation and sometimes loss of lives.

Inspite of slight rainfall, men of public works cooperation were seen at different locations laying crushed stones on the deplorable roads.

He reassured residents of the corporation’s commitment towards ensuring a pothole free Lagos during and after the rainy season.

According to him, the work is not a one off job as the corporation would continue to carry-out periodic maintenance of the road.

Sodeinde noted that LSPWC had earlier in April, 2017, carried out a massive palliative work on the bad spot at Berliet to ease vehicular movement before it was degraded again.

“Also, in the second week of April 2016, another palliative work was carried out with the spreading of boulders and stone-based materials on the bad.” He stated.

Other dilapidated roads on the list for palliative are: Lagos-Abeokuta Express road, Agege motor roads, among others.

LASTMA/Police

In another development, following reported persistent harassment and torture of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, officials by the Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Onikan, Adamu Ibrahim has warned Police in the state to desist henceforth from such act or be dealt with accordingly.

Ibrahim handed down the warning when the management of LASTMA paid him a courtesy visit at his Onikan, Lagos office, weekend.

According to him, the Police are trained professionals that must obey and respect law of the state, “Therefore any police officer caught violating the traffic laws, driving on the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, dedicated corridor, intimidating or harassing LASTMA officials should be reported for necessary sanction against such erring officer(s).

Ibrahim, therefore, assured traffic officials of LASTMA of continued support and cooperation of the police in the traffic control and implementation of the Lagos state traffic laws.

The visit to the AIG was in continuation of the effort of the agency to improve relationship between Nigerian Police and the LASTMA.

Speaking during the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, AIG Chris Olakpe (Retd), said the visit was to develop synergy and bridge the gap between the agency and Nigerian Police.

According to him, “The agency is out to promote cordial relationship and clear all the grey areas of misunderstanding between the two agencies in order to have harmonious working relationship for the overall progress and development of Lagos state.

“The police support and cooperation are crucial to the successful implementation of the state traffic laws. I therefore, call for the protection of LASTMA officials on duty across the state, as this will give them more impetus to perform and serve motorists and commuters better on the road.”

Olakpe expressed satisfaction with the conduct and discipline of policemen on the roads and urged them to do more for orderliness to be sustained permanently on Lagos roads.

He advised officers of the Police X-Squad to always make a recourse to the agency whenever traffic officials were found wanting on duty, and assured that such official will be dealt with in accordance with the extant laws of the agency and civil service regulations.

In his own contribution, the general manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olawale Musa called for more police back-up and protection for the agency. He frowned at instances where police officers will drive on dedicated BRT corridor. He further called for more protection and support for traffic officials to manage traffic all the time in some parts of the state.