The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has compensated the families of some officers who sustained varying degrees of injuries or lost their lives in the line of duty with N21m.

The beneficiaries were compensated during the 24th anniversary of the agency held at the headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos State, on Monday.

Speaking at the event, the agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the donation was in recognition of the beneficiaries’ services in the state.

He extended gratitude on behalf of the entire staff of LASTMA to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his support.

Bakare-Oki said, “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.

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“LASTMA was established on July 13, 2000. 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.

“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.”

Speaking further, Bakare-Oki said the digital toll centre was launched last week, adding that the dedicated call-free line was released.

He said, “Also, the walk-in call centre was equally inaugurated. In addition, a new website was pushed out. Likewise, our research and planning department was resuscitated.

“All these were done to improve our services. All these are part of the trajectories of repositioning the agency for better 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.”

The Director of Welfare Matters, LASTMA, Morayo Ojeniyi, said the celebration would be for a week, adding that a medical outreach would be done in partnership with the Lagos State Medical Doctors Guild.

“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 of the beneficiaries, Bashiru Bakare, appreciated LASTMA and the government for the kind gesture.

Another beneficiary, who did not mention his name for personal reasons, while thanking the government and the agency, said he sustained an injury in the line of duty in a car accident involving smugglers sometime in August 2022.