The Lagos State Government has decided to sack five officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), for various forms of offenses ranging from extortion, harassment and violation of Lagos State Public Service Rules.  

General Manager, LASTMA, Olawale Musa disclosed this on Thursday, saying that the agency recommended five of the unruly officials for dismissal and demote 14 others, adding that 15 others were issued letters of warning, while three were exonerated after careful investigation.

 Besides, Musa condemned incessant attacks of traffic officials by motorists, especially commercial drivers, saying the officials were on the roads to ensure motorists and commuters get to their destinations without stress and discomfort.   

He also appealed to motorists plying routes where major construction works were ongoing to bear with the state government and comply with traffic directive, saying concerted efforts have been put in place to deliver the projects on schedule. 

Musa, who spoke after monitoring flow of traffic along Lagos-Abeokuta and Apapa- Oshodi Expressway, said the road projects across the State were being implemented by the State Government to ultimately achieve free flow of traffic within the metropolis, and thereby boost economy and commerce.  

 The State Government is currently working on major road projects including Lagos - Abeokuta Expressway, Oshodi- Apapa Expressway, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, Agege Pen Cinema, among other massive roads reconstruction across the State.  

Musa said necessary engineering research and traffic count had been done before the construction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, just as he dispelled insinuation that the project would make the road to be smaller in length.   

The projects will ultimately contribute to free flow of traffic as well as boost economy and commerce 

Specifically, the LASTMA boss appealed to members of the public using roads under construction to exercise patience in the meantime, adding that the projects, upon completion, would make traffic congestion being experienced on the roads to become a thing of the past.  

While assuring that motorists and commuters would soon heave a sigh of relief, Musa urged them to continue to obey traffic rules and regulations and cooperate with the LASTMA officials who, according to him, are on the road to ensure free flow of traffic.