Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday told officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to henceforth desist from harassing offenders.
Ambode, at an interactive session with the officers at the Lagos House, Alausa, charged them to be up and doing in the discharge of their duties.
The governor said that there were more civil ways of apprehending offenders without harassing them.
According to him, the State Government will adopt technology to arrest offenders from now on.
“Don’t victimise Lagosians, there are more civil ways to control and arrest offenders.
“From now, no harassment; you are enforcement officers and not harassment officers, arrest people in civil manner,” he said.
Ambode said that that the meeting was very important and would drive the focus of what his government was all about.
“I appeal strongly for your cooperation and support; as little as you think your work is, you are going to be the new face of this government.
“Whatever you do outside, you are actually doing it on my behalf and anything you do is a reflection of who I am,” he said.
The governor sought their support, saying that the officers should reflect on the promises he made to the electorate during electioneering.
“The primary duty of all of us is to make life easier for every Lagosian.
“If you do this, the pattern of your service delivery will change,” he said.
Ambode implored the officers to ensure that the traffic situation in the state was improved upon.
“The feedback from outside is that traffic situation has worsened; we have to work round the clock to ensure free flow of traffic,” he said.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, urged the officers not to encourage indiscipline.
“You are the face of government; if the enforcement is not right and if the traffic does not move, we are all in trouble.
“You have done well in the past, but you need to build on it; now, there will be no room for excuse,” he said.
Also, the Deputy Governor, Dr Oluranti Adebule, charged them to live up to their responsibilities and to ensure that the purpose for which their agencies were set up was achieved.
Mr Phillip Ogunlade, Director of Operations, LASTMA and Mr Mayowa Adeyeye of KAI who spoke on behalf of the agencies, said that they would do their best to project the State Government. (NAN)
