…Local govt officials not authorised to arrest traffic offenders, Commissioner says

The Lagos state government will be rolling out 2,000 CNG buses before the end of the year, Commissioner for Transport Seun Osiyemi said on Tuesday, April 23.

Osiyemi, while addressing reporters during the annual Ministerial Press Briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, noted that the project is a Private Public Partnership (PPP) initiative, and the buses will be released in two tranches of 1,000 each. 

He also added that a private transport operator will be launching 231 electric vehicles in June. 

These efforts, Osiyemi said, are to ease the burden of transportation on residents and also reduce carbon emissions so residents can live healthier lives.

The commissioner also told residents to report any official of the 57 local governments and council development areas arresting motorists for violating traffic rules. 

According to him, only officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have the right to impound vehicles and arrest violators.

“Lagosians should not allow themselves to be extorted by fake people parading themselves as staff of the Ministry of Transportation. Local governments do not have traffic officers. 

“They cannot arrest motorists for traffic offenses. LASTMA is the only agency allowed by Lagos traffic laws to arrest traffic offenders. Lagosians should report any local official violating this law,” he warned.

The Commissioner added that LASTMA’s next line of actions will include launch of the LASTMA Complaint Call Centre (Digital and Physical) to ensure easy access; re-launch of Specialised Traffic Mayor and induction of Executive Members; continuous road traffic safety audit and constant advocacy on adherence and compliance of traffic laws and regulations (Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018).