The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has observed with grave concern a viral video disseminated by ‘Lagos Reporters’ on one of the social media (Facebook) wherein a strident voice, following an infraction on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, alleged that motorists had been ostensibly instructed to commence their traversal of the BRT lane from Ojota, whilst simultaneously castigating LASTMA operatives who apprehended offenders at Idi-Iroko, inward Anthony along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
The Authority hereby unequivocally repudiates and vehemently condemns this mendacious claim in its entirety.
For absolute clarity, the Lagos State Government has solely and temporarily authorized the use of the BRT corridor at Odo-Iya Alaro and Eko Bridge only, strictly as a stopgap intervention to mitigate traffic congestion engendered by the ongoing expansion joint rehabilitation at the Ifako-Ogudu Bridge, inbound Lagos.
It must be emphatically reiterated that no dispensation whatsoever has been granted for motorists to exploit the BRT corridor at Idi-Iroko inward Anthony, or indeed at any other segment of the Ikorodu Road axis beyond the expressly designated relief points.
An exhaustive internal inquiry by LASTMA has incontrovertibly established that no officer of the Authority issued any directive sanctioning motorists to encroach upon the restricted BRT lane from Ojota to Idi-Iroko, contrary to the spurious assertions made in the viral footage.
“Visual evidence captured contemporaneously at the same location revealed that the principal carriageway of at Idi-Iroko inward Anthony was free-flowing, with vehicles traversing unimpeded, thereby exposing the allegation as patently fabricated and devoid of merit.
As an agency vested with statutory authority to entrench sanity on Lagos roads, LASTMA remains unyielding in its mandate to safeguard traffic orderliness, enforce vehicular discipline, and preserve the sanctity of transport corridors particularly the BRT lanes which are integral to the efficient functioning of mass transit within the State.
The Authority therefore sternly cautions all road users particularly motoring public against the propagation of unfounded falsehoods and urges them to remain law-abiding through strict adherence to established traffic regulations.
Motorists who willfully contravene these directives, especially by unlawfully encroaching upon the BRT corridor, shall be decisively apprehended and subjected to full legal sanctions.
Furthermore, the Lagos State Government assures the commuting public that the rehabilitation works at the Ifako-Ogudu Bridge are being diligently expedited. Consequently, all interim traffic management concessions presently in effect shall be rescinded immediately upon the project’s completion.
Members of the public are strongly enjoined to seek verification of information exclusively from authentic and official channels (LASTMA toll free hotline 080000527862) and to disregard mischievous narratives disseminated through unverified social media outlets.
Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA
