LASTMA urges strategic synergy with the media, cautions against defamatory, unverified reports

By Our Reporter

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to deepening a constructive and mutually beneficial partnership with the media, even as it strongly cautioned against propagation of defamatory, unsubstantiated and potentially misleading reports capable of eroding public confidence in government institutions.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, made this call in the wake of the findings of an investigative panel constituted to meticulously examine allegations published by an online platform, which accused operatives of the Authority of extorting the sum of N100,000 from commercial bus operators along the Coastal Road corridor.

Elucidating the outcome of the inquiry, Bakare-Oki, in a statement made available to newsmen by LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed that the panel’s findings unequivocally established that the vehicles in question were apprehended for wilful obstruction, in contravention of extant traffic regulations. 

The LASTMA boss further affirmed that all penalties imposed were legitimately remitted into government coffers, with incontrovertible evidence of payment tendered by the affected drivers during their appearances before the panel, emphasising that these findings decisively debunked the allegations of extortion.

Bakare-Oki underscored the pivotal role of the media in advancing public enlightenment, reinforcing traffic discipline and promoting civic responsibility, describing the press as an indispensable institution in shaping informed public discourse and sustaining democratic ideals.

He, however, stressed that such a critical mandate must be discharged with the utmost professionalism, accuracy and strict adherence to established ethical standards. 

The General Manager, while acknowledging the legitimacy of constructive criticism within a democratic framework, cautioned that the dissemination of unverified claims and sensational narratives constituted a grave threat to institutional credibility and public trust.

He, therefore, enjoined media organisations to accord primacy to rigorous fact-checking and due diligence prior to publication, so as to avert the dissemination of misleading information and preserve the integrity of public communication.

Reaffirming LASTMA’s openness to sustained engagement, Bakare-Oki assured that the Authority remained transparent, accessible and responsive through its official communication channels for prompt verification and clarification. 

The LASTMA boss also highlighted the availability of a toll-free hotline (080000527862) alongside a dedicated Physical Complaints Unit (PCU), through which members of the public can lodge complaints, seek clarification and verify incidents.

He called on relevant media stakeholders to uphold the sanctity of the journalism profession by ensuring accuracy, balance and responsibility in reportage, thereby safeguarding the public space from misinformation and preserving societal trust.