The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has sacked 11 of its officials for engaging in extortion and bribery.
The officials, whose names and ranks were not disclosed, were dismissed after a disciplinary panel found them guilty of various offenses.
The panel, which comprised the Acting General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare Oki Olalekan, and three permanent secretaries, reviewed the cases of 12 LASTMA officials who were accused of corruption and absenteeism. Only one official was cleared of the charges and reinstated.
The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the sackings in an interview with PUNCH. He said that the panel recommended different punishments for the erring officials, ranging from dismissal, demotion and termination of appointment.
He said, “While 11 officers were found guilty of corrupt practices levied against them, only one officer was exonerated by the panel. The Acting General Manager also read the ‘Riot Acts’ to all Comptrollers, Commanders and Zebras of the agency.
“ He warned that stiffer and severe punishment would be meted on corrupt Officers. This effort is to weed the agency of the few bad elements tarnishing its image.”
He added that the panel’s recommendations have been forwarded to the State Civil Service Commission for approval, in line with the Public Service Rules.
Taofiq also appealed to the public to support the agency’s restructuring by reporting any misconduct by its officials through the agency’s complaints hotlines (08100565860, 08129928503, 08129928515 & 08129928597) with evidence.
He further stated that the general manager advised all officers of the agency to always carry out their duties without fear or favour in accordance with the laws governing the authority.
He said, “Any operative caught in the process of bringing the Agency or the government into disrepute shall equally face the consequence.”