Apparently worried by complaints on extortion and corruption among the council traffic officers in Lagos State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday banned Local Government Council officials from engaging in managing traffic situation and extorting motorists in the state.
The Recorder gathered that there had been a plethora of complaints on brazen abuse of the traffic laws by the individuals, who pose as council traffic officers to extort motorists.
But, speaking through Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, the governor said that the state would no longer condone corruption and extortion of motorists by the council officers.
Elegushi said: “Indeed, there are traffic units in all the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). However, this is not a responsibility for the third tier of Government.
We have reported instances of illegal arrests, extortion and general impunity on the part of the Local Government Council operatives. It is then appropriate to disband all the units and outfits parading as Local Government Traffic Units. This has been communicated to all these Agencies.
“For the avoidance of doubt, officials of the Ministry will start monitoring and any infraction will be dealt with in full compliance with the Law. Let me also reiterate that only the Nigerian Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Taskforce on Special Offences and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) can perform Traffic Duties.”
Lamenting the role of Local Government Area and Local Council Development Areas in traffic enforcement in the corruption allegations, the Commissioner urged Lagosians to report any such illegal activities to the Ministry of Transportation.
