Motorists in Lagos metropolis on Monday urged the management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority to impose stringent sanctions on traffic offenders.
Some of them in separate interviews told the News Agency of Nigeria that LASTMA should be alive to its responsibilities of ensuring free flow of traffic.
Sikiru Adio, a lawyer, told NAN that majority of LASTMA officials on the field had relented from their active duty since Governor Akinwunmi Ambode urged them to be more civil on traffic offenders.
Adio said some officials had resorted to “sit-down” approach to some traffic violators, adding that there was the need for government to institute monitoring inspectors to watch over LASTMA field officials.
A motorist, Akeem Raji, alleged that many motorists were fond of violating traffic laws at Oshodi during peak hours, thus causing gridlock.
Raji said instead of LASTMA officials acting, they would fold their arms and watch the turn of events going from bad to worse.
He said: “I summoned the courage to park and ask them on Friday why they were not controlling traffic.
“They yelled at me saying that we (motorists) claimed that LASTMA is a problem to road users.”
Raji further quoted them as saying: “Since the government made the pronouncement that we should be civil in our operation, we are trying to be.”
Mary Anderson told NAN that the lawlessness of motorists was causing a lot of hardship on the roads, adding that motorists were now in the habit of driving against traffic and violating traffic light.
Anderson suggested that LASTMA officials should return to the roads because “the fear of LASTMA is the beginning of wisdom”.
Another motorist, Segun Akinwunmi, also alleged that LASTMA officials had been awarding fines to motorists without following due process.
However, Bashir Braimah, LASTMA General Manager, said the agency was still operating the existing traffic laws in the state.
“The government only directed us to put human face to enforcement of the laws,” Braimah said.
He added: “LASTMA has not relented in its service.
“We only urge motorists to also be civil on the road.”
NAN.