LASTMA

  The management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has come under fire over an alleged attempt to cover up the theft of an impounded excavator worth about N70m by two members of staff. PUNCH Metro gathered from insiders on Thursday that the incident, which occurred on June 10, has thrown the agency into confusion, with several staff members accusing top management of shielding one of the suspects involved. According to insiders, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case, the missing excavator had been parked at LASTMA’s headquarters for over a decade after it was reportedly impounded. However, the incident came to light after workers resumed work following the Sallah holiday and noticed the equipment was gone. “That excavator was impounded over 10 years ago,” a source familiar with the matter told PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity. The source added, “Such vehicles are only removed after proper documentation and approval. But when we returned from the Sallah break, we noticed it was no longer there.” The source explained that preliminary findings indicated that a PSP (Private Sector Participant) operator, who owns a tow truck, presented a signed document at the agency’s gate and was granted access to remove the excavator from the premises. “We found out that a PSP operator (name withheld) who owns a tow vehicle presented a paper at the gate that was signed by the second suspect.” “On seeing the paper, the PSP operator was allowed to take the equipment out of the LASTMA yard,” the source added. Further investigation allegedly revealed that the excavator, estimated to be worth at least N70m, was dismantled and sold off as scrap. While one of the suspects, who reportedly operates towing vehicles on behalf of LASTMA, was interrogated and detained, the second suspect, said to be the one who signed the release document, was neither arrested nor questioned. “It would be wrong to put all the blame on one person when the suspect who approved the theft was not arrested and detained. “We believe he’s being protected by powerful interests within the agency,” the source stated. When PUNCH Metro sought the reaction of the agency’s spokesperson, Taofeek Adebayo, on Thursday, he introduced an Assistant General Manager of LASTMA to our correspondent, but both officials declined to comment further on the incident and alleged cover-up. “What I will say is this: The (LASTMA) management will respond at the appropriate time. In my capacity, I cannot give you any information,” the unnamed AGM told our correspondent on Thursday. Pressed further on the agency’s silence, he simply responded, “We will get back to you,” before ending the call. He did not get back to our correspondent as of the time of filing this report. Although calls to the General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare Oki-Olalekan, went unanswered on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Bolanle Ogunlola, told our correspondent that the agency was in the best position to address the allegation. “I think you should try to speak with the GM of LASTMA. He may have information about it,” Ogunlola advised.