Officials
of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA have seized
over 20 tricycles, popularly called Keke Marwa. Attempts by the tricycle
riders led to a clash with LASTMA officials. The clash, which broke out
on Saturday at the PWD area of Ikeja, caused disruption in the movement
of commuters in the axis.
Many commuters were forced to trek long distances because the tricycle riders decided to withdraw their services. Those heading towards Ikeja, Con-Oil, Police Command, General Hospital, among other places, were forced to trek to their destinations. The riders also accused LASTMA officials of demanding N20,000 from owners of the impounded tricycles.
Some of the riders, seen at Police Command, POWA axis, could not explain why LASTMA officials started to impound their tricycles. The President of Path of Peace Initiatives, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr Dandy Eze, fighting on behalf of the riders, said that the LASTMA officials were fond of impounding the tricycles wherever they ‘needed money’.
According to him, whenever they seize such tricycles, they demand between N5,000 and N10,000 from each of the owners. He said: “On Saturday, a LASTMA official and a man in a private vehicle had a problem at the PWD, close to where the riders have their park. The altercation between the LASTMA official and the driver of the car, led to exchange of fisticuffs.
Other LASTMA officials came to arrest the man. “Barely some minutes after the arrest of the driver, they reenforced and came out to start impounding tricycles at the PWD Park. They seized over 20 tricycles at PWD branch.
“This is what they used to do every time. They will pounce on them and demand N5,000 or N10,000 bribe before they release the tricycles. If they fail to give the bribe, they will give them ticket to pay N50,000. “Governor Babatunde Fashola should call LASTMA officials at PWD to order.
We have discovered that LASTMA officials are more corrupt than the police. “Right now, they are demanding N20,000 each from those whose tricycles were impounded on Saturday.
Many commuters were forced to trek long distances because the tricycle riders decided to withdraw their services. Those heading towards Ikeja, Con-Oil, Police Command, General Hospital, among other places, were forced to trek to their destinations. The riders also accused LASTMA officials of demanding N20,000 from owners of the impounded tricycles.
Some of the riders, seen at Police Command, POWA axis, could not explain why LASTMA officials started to impound their tricycles. The President of Path of Peace Initiatives, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr Dandy Eze, fighting on behalf of the riders, said that the LASTMA officials were fond of impounding the tricycles wherever they ‘needed money’.
According to him, whenever they seize such tricycles, they demand between N5,000 and N10,000 from each of the owners. He said: “On Saturday, a LASTMA official and a man in a private vehicle had a problem at the PWD, close to where the riders have their park. The altercation between the LASTMA official and the driver of the car, led to exchange of fisticuffs.
Other LASTMA officials came to arrest the man. “Barely some minutes after the arrest of the driver, they reenforced and came out to start impounding tricycles at the PWD Park. They seized over 20 tricycles at PWD branch.
“This is what they used to do every time. They will pounce on them and demand N5,000 or N10,000 bribe before they release the tricycles. If they fail to give the bribe, they will give them ticket to pay N50,000. “Governor Babatunde Fashola should call LASTMA officials at PWD to order.
We have discovered that LASTMA officials are more corrupt than the police. “Right now, they are demanding N20,000 each from those whose tricycles were impounded on Saturday.
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