Lagos — Twenty-nine officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), were yesterday dismissed for various offences including corruption, extortion and harassment of motorists.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro, who disclosed this at the passing out parade of 800 properly trained and focused local government traffic officials at Alausa, Ikeja, during which cash award of N50,000 each was given to 10 LASTMA officials for exemplary performance in traffic management and humanitarian work.

Pedro said the dismissal of the 29 officials was to serve as deterrent to others painting the state government black with their unruly behaviours.

He said the state government will not hesitate to deal with any of its staff found wanting, while those who perform well will be honoured accordingly.

Pedro also warned commercial drivers and motorcyclists who flout the one-way rule , saying such violators will be dealt with.

Pedro said the local government traffic management outfit was founded to compliment LASTMA's efforts in areas where security personnel could not operate or are not available.

He said the former local government traffic management officials were banned, because of their nefarious activities.

Pedro, however, warned the officials whose duty is to take charge of traffic management and control in their various local government councils not to operate on highways, and restrict themselves to council roads.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner of Transportation, Mr Muiz Banire, said their appointment is to ensure free flow of communication and instant response of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority to any distress call on traffic problems on the highway.

He said Local Government Traffic Units have been linked to the LASTMA communication Radio Network, adding that although the men before you appear to be in the same uniform, but a distinguish factor exists, which is the code name of the Local Government the person represents.

. Adding that, members of the public and motorist are advised to look out for this code and name tag of any official found to be operating outside his jurisdiction and report to the appropriate Authority assuring that no erring Local Government Traffic Official can escape punishment because they are career officers whose remuneration is tied to their emoluments.

Urging them to carry out their duties diligently and keep their names and that of Government intact and also be informed that various monitoring teams from the ministry of Transportation Management Team, LASTMA, Governor's Monitoring Team and selected

community leaders have been directed to keep a tab on your activities in order to vowed out the bad eggs that may be hiding among you.