The instruction from the governor was very clear and precise enough; LASTMA must not extort motorists.

Contrary to the main objective and intention of establishing the Lagos state traffic management authority in 2000, some officials of the Lagos state owned agency have been creating unimaginable hardship ton commuters in Lagos under various disguises. Of recent, there have has been serious outcries from Llagosians over the incessant arrests and extortions targeted at private motorists by these officials particularly those commuting along the Osborne/Ddolphin Estate ramp when approaching from the Third Mainland Bridge (TMB). The daily experience along this corridor during the morning rush brings untold pain to not only the extorted drivers , but also to those who haves spent extra hours navigating through the traffic congestions created by these officials while engaging in illegal acts.  

This particular spot usually experiences convergence of vehicles both from TMB and the Sura-Osborne ramp for those approaching from Osborne heading towards the Ring Road. As a result, vehicles approaching from TMB and heading to Osborne usually have to negotiate a change of lane to join the Osborne-Dolphin ramp. At this point, these LASTMA officials targets vehicles that join the lane late and arrest them at the choke-point on the ramp. This leads to further congestions and the already narrowed point is further narrowed leaving only one lane as against two lanes hitherto available. These actions further aggravate the growing traffic, extending the congestions towards the TMB. In some instances, congestions created by the illegal actions of these officials have extended to as far as the UNILAG waterfront. This explains why one spends several hours in traffic congestions on the TMB only to get to that point and can’t visibly point to the cause of the congestion. In other to conceal their identity, they have devised a method of using the flap of their chest pockets to cover their name tag by inserting a small booklet into the pocket. This was observed on four of the six LASTMA officials pictured last Friday while conducting illegal arrests and extortions along that corridor. The fifth was seen wearing a reflective jacket to cover his name leaving only one officer with name visibly displayed. While reflective jacket is part of their accoutrements, it is imperative that names of the officers must be known by Lagosians. 

It is pertinent to note that motorists had the best of experience along that corridor when these officials were removed some time ago. No sooner they were removed, they began to lobby their way back pushing false narrative that motorists are complaining and asking for their return. As much as one is not against the deployment of traffic officers to critical locations, their presence will become a burden if they begin to operate outside the norms as is the case here.

These particular set of officials are sabotaging the efforts of the leadership of the state; presenting them as inconsiderate and anti-people. As it is today, Lagosians are finding it difficult to tell if the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu is for them or against them.

Available reports indicate that the coordinator of the LASTMA team operating along this corridor is complicit in this extortion. He is believed to be in full knowledge of the activities of his men and have been receiving returns from them, hence feeding fat on the pains of Lagosians. The officials working under him have an obligation to control traffic, ease transportation flow, and bring sanity and orderliness to Lagos roads., Contrary to this however, LASTMA officialsthey have been arresting motorists, abusing them, extorting huge sums of money from them and creating more traffic and disorganization around that location.

It is pertinent to note that motorists had the best of experience along that corridor when these officials were removed some time ago. No Sooner after they were removed, these LASTMA Officials began to lobby their way back pushing false narratives alleging that motorists are complaining and asking for their return. As much as one is not against the deployment of traffic officers to critical locations, their presence will become a burden if they begin to operate outside the norms as is the case here.

These particular set of officials are sabotaging the efforts of the leadership of the state; presenting them as inconsiderate and anti-people. As it is today, Lagosians are finding it difficult to tell if the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu is for them or against them.

It is pertinent to note that motorists had the best of experience along that corridor when these officials were removed some time ago. No Sooner after they were removed, these LASTMA Officials began to lobby their way back pushing false narratives alleging that motorists are complaining and asking for their return. As much as one is not against the deployment of traffic officers to critical locations, their presence will become a burden if they begin to operate outside the norms as is the case here.

These particular set of officials are sabotaging the efforts of the leadership of the state; presenting them as inconsiderate and anti-people. As it is today, Lagosians are finding it difficult to tell if the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu is for them or against them.