The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has awarded N21 million to the families of officers who either suffered injuries or lost their lives while on duty.
According to The PUNCH, the compensation was presented during the agency’s 24th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos State, on Monday.
Addressing the attendees, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed the agency’s appreciation for the dedication of the beneficiaries.
He also conveyed gratitude from the entire LASTMA staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his continuous support.
Bakare-Oki stated, “I want to especially salute our heroes and heroines who have lost their lives during service. Also, I want to extend appreciation to the management officers who are challenged medically one way or the other. We recognise you, we are with you.”
He continued by reflecting on the establishment and progress of LASTMA, which was founded on July 13, 2000.
He emphasized the importance of remembering and honouring the agency’s fallen members.
“We’re here to mark the existence of LASTMA for 24 years of relentless and selfless service to Lagos. Part of the reason for this occasion is to remember our heroes who have departed the agency in the line of duty. We invited their families to let them know that they’re not forgotten,” he said.
Bakare-Oki also highlighted LASTMA’s commitment to providing excellent services to Lagosians, urging his colleagues to prioritize the public’s interests, saying, “Our duty as LASTMA is to make sure we give optimum services to Lagosians. We must at all times, prioritise the interest of Lagosians because they deserve the best. Whatever we do, we should always do it in line with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 because this is our Holy Bible.”
He announced the recent launch of the digital toll center and a dedicated call-free line, as well as the inauguration of a walk-in call center and the release of a new website.
The resuscitation of the research and planning department was also mentioned as part of efforts to enhance service delivery.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the motoring public to adhere quickly to traffic rules and regulations. This is for them to know that LASTMA is on the road for them to have a better travel and make their journey seamless at all times,” Bakare-Oki said.
The Director of Welfare Matters at LASTMA, Morayo Ojeniyi, outlined the week-long celebration activities, which include a medical outreach in collaboration with the Lagos State Medical Doctors Guild.
The outreach will take place in Oshodi, Agege, and Ikorodu throughout the week.
“This event will be an annual event. Throughout this week, we are going to have a medical outreach for all our staff members in conjunction with the Lagos State Medical Doctors Guild. We have a long-week programme with them tomorrow (Tuesday) in Oshodi, next tomorrow in Agege, and on Thursday, we’re going to Ikorodu,” Ojeniyi said.
One beneficiary, Bashiru Bakare, expressed gratitude to LASTMA and the government for their support.
Another beneficiary, who chose to remain anonymous, thanked the government and agency while recounting how he was injured in an accident involving smugglers in August 2022.
