SURE-P, FERMA officials dislodge LASTMA men from federal roads

Pandemonium broke out yesterday at old Toll Gate, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ikorodu Road when officials of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme,, SURE-P and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, popularly called Federal Task Force, clashed with officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, over control of traffic on federal highways across Lagos State.

Consequently, LASTMA officials often drafted to the axis were chased away by the federal taskforce officials.

The Sure-P Task Force officers were also seen around Ketu area as well as the old Toll Gate, on Abeokuta road where their secretariat is located.

The sudden appearance of the men in black resulted into chaos as motorists and passers-by ran in different directions.

A LASTMA official who preferred anonymity said: “The federal taskforce stormed the road as early as 7:00 a.m with sticks and iron rods to manage traffic on the federal roads in the state.

“The action disrupted traffic flow on these roads especially the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. They halted the activities of LASTMA official’s on the road. When our officials complained, they ordered that they leave the Expressway.

“Few minutes later when they discovered that our officials didn’t yield to their directives, they attacked them. And our officials were forced to leave.

“On October 23, 2014, they attacked a LASTMA official who was managing traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. They brought out guns which made everyone to scamper for safety. On that day, motorists abandoned their vehicles to avoid being caught up in the ensuing confusion.

“And today, their activities led to traffic gridlock on the road. In fact, the traffic didn’t subside until 1:30 pm.”

When Vanguard visited the scene at old Lagos-Ibadan Toll Gate at about 3:00 pm, none of the usual standby LASTMA officials on the axis was sighted on the road. Sure-P/FERMA taskforce officials, who were dressed in their black T-shirts and trousers, were seen managing traffic on the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.