The Lagos State chapter of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) has called for comprehensive reforms in the operations of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

The party expressed concern over what it described as the conduct of some LASTMA personnel, saying their activities had increasingly become a source of worry to motorists and road users.

In a statement on Monday in Lagos, the party’s publicity secretary, Ayodele Kazeem, acknowledged the agency’s role in traffic management and road safety.

Mr Kazeem, however, said some officers had deviated from the professionalism expected of a modern traffic management agency.

He said reports of reckless enforcement activities and indiscriminate arrests of motorists for minor infractions had become a recurring issue.

According to him, some offences could be corrected through warnings and guidance instead of enforcement actions.

“While we acknowledge the critical role of LASTMA in traffic management and road safety, it is regrettable that the conduct of some officers has deviated from the professionalism expected of a modern traffic management agency.

“Reports of reckless enforcement activities, indiscriminate arrests of motorists for minor infractions that could otherwise be corrected through warnings and guidance, and dangerous confrontations on the roads have become too frequent to ignore.

“More disturbing are incidents where the actions of some personnel have allegedly contributed to avoidable road accidents, endangered the lives of innocent passengers, and created unnecessary tension between traffic officials and members of the public,” he said.

Mr Kazeem said no traffic enforcement exercise should place the lives and safety of citizens at risk.

He said Lagos deserved a traffic management system that prioritised safety, professionalism, accountability and public confidence.

The party therefore advocated immediate reforms, including deploying body cameras to all traffic officers while on duty.

“The Allied People’s Movement strongly believes that Lagos deserves a traffic management system that prioritises safety, professionalism, accountability, and public confidence.

“We therefore advocate for comprehensive reforms in the operations of LASTMA, including the immediate deployment of body cameras to all traffic officers while on duty.

“The use of body cameras will promote transparency, provide an objective record of interactions between officers and motorists, discourage misconduct from both parties, and improve public trust in the agency,” he added.

Mr Kazeem said officers should not be permitted to deactivate or tamper with body cameras during duty hours except under strictly regulated circumstances.

He also called for the complete digitalisation of LASTMA’s enforcement and administrative processes.

According to him, traffic violations, penalties, documentation and incident reports should be processed through transparent digital platforms.

He said such platforms would minimise human interference and reduce opportunities for corruption and abuse of authority.

“Furthermore, the APM calls for the complete digitalisation of LASTMA’s enforcement and administrative processes.

“Traffic violations, penalties, documentation, and incident reports should be processed through transparent digital platforms that minimise human interference and significantly reduce opportunities for corruption and abuse of authority.

“A modern city such as Lagos must embrace technology-driven traffic management solutions that protect both road users and enforcement officers,” he said.

Mr Kazeem said discretionary enforcement and opaque procedures should give way to a system founded on accountability, professionalism and respect for human dignity.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to promoting policies to improve governance and strengthen public institutions.

(NAN)