By Uzor Odigbo
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has disclosed that 13,461 vehicles were impounded for traffic violation in the state in the last eight months.
The General Manager, LASTMA, Olajide Oduyoye, disclosed this on Friday during an oversight tour of the office by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He said that the agency had a total staff strength of 4,239, with three officers dismissed while 18 others had died from active service.
The LASTMA boss said that 13,461 vehicles were involved in traffic violations between January and August this year.
Oduyoye told the committee that the agency was facing numerous challenges such as inadequate provision of space for impounded vehicles.
He said other challenges included non-availability of zonal office, change/refresh rooms for officers, non-availability of functional patrol vehicles and inadequate recovery vehicles.
The LASTMA boss stated that the agency lacked signage that was required for speed limits and no parking on the highway.
The general manager expressed concern over the intrusion on the highway by street parking and the improper planning approval given to filling stations and event centres.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has made provisions for compulsory lane markings, traffic laws signals on highways in the ongoing amendment of the Lagos Traffic Law and Regulations.
The Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Mr Temitope Adewale (Ifako-Ijaiye I), said there would be appropriate sanctions for violators of traffic lane marking on the highway, adding that the signs and markings on the highway would further reduce the gridlock experienced by motorists.
“In the new amendment of the Traffic Law before the House, under Section 28 of the bill, we have made provisions for compulsory lane marking, traffic light signals, and registering of signs.
“This is to further enhance the LASTMA jobs and the House of Assembly will continue to support the agency,” he said.
