Sanwoolu gives Lastma officials the go-ahead to arrest anyone found breaching traffic laws

GOVERNOR Babajide Sanwoolu has told Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (Lastma) officials that they are not to spare anyone who violates traffic laws even if they are his family members of commissioners in his cabinet.

Yesterday, Governor Sanwoolu visited Lastma's head offices in Oshodi, where among other things, he promised to raise the allowances of staff by 100% as from July. During the visit, Governor Sanwoolu also admonished staff to enforce traffic laws vigorously, stressing that even if his brother were to break  traffic laws, he should be arrested.

Governor Sanwoolu said: “I can assure you because we are in this together, that I am going to tell members of my cabinet that if you are caught violating traffic rules, you must pay fines for offences committed. There is nobody to call, nobody is going to be above the law.”

According to the governor, there would be no sacred cows in the enforcement of the law, saying that if anyone was arrested and the person said he knew the governor, then they should ask the governor to pay his fine. Governor Sanwoolu promised the Lastma officers that he was going to provide all the necessary materials and equipment for them to do their work effectively and efficiently.

He added that he was also going to look at issues concerning their welfare, promising that their allowances would be doubled from the end of July. He however told them that to whom much is given much is expected and that since he was going to be using the tax payers money to better their lot, Lagosians also expect to see a new reformed, ready-to-go, better equipped Lastma officials going forward.

“Lagosians have told me that they want a corrupt-free Lastma. Officials that are humble, courteous, respectful and decent officials that are not lazy or lackadaisical, so stop collecting bribes," Governor Sanwoolu added.