HugosMedia

Lagos State Governor Baba-tunde Fashola yesterday said the primary responsibility of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) is to ensure free flow of traffic and not to arrest motorists.

The governor’s statement came barely a week after a junior LASTMA official was caught demanding N8, 000 bribe from a motorist who contravened traffic rules.
The governor re-empha-sized the primary duty of  LASTMA operatives at the induction of new Special Traffic Mayor (STM) and interactive session of mayors and LASTMA personnel.
He said if in arresting those who contravened traffic rules and regulations in the state, a LASTMA official will create traffic, it is better he allows the offender to go.
 “I say this not because I don’t want law breakers to be brought to justice but because we need to keep traffic in Lagos moving at all times,” he said.
On the bribery allegation against a LASTMA official, Governor Fashola saluted the courage of the motorist that recorded the event, adding that by exposing the bad eggs in the agency and other government ministries, departments and parastatals, corruption will be reduced drastically in the country.
 “That LASTMA fellow, we learnt is on the run. We have declared him wanted and I can assure you that we will get him. He will have his day in court and we will get him out of the system,” he said.