Press Releases

LASTMA To Have 500 Extra Men For Ember Months - Fashola
……………As Sterling Bank donates 4,000 raincoats

Aug 19, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Tuesday disclosed that approval has been given for the employment of additional 500 men to boost the capacity of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to effectively to contain heavy vehicular and human movement during the ember months.

Making the disclosure while receiving 4000 branded raincoats from the management of Sterling Bank on behalf of LASTMA at Alausa, Governor Fashola said the new operatives who are currently undergoing training would be deployed specifically for the last quarter of the year.

The Governor added that the donation is significant in so many ways because it underscores the appreciation of human efforts and dignity of labour by the bank.

Governor Fashola explained that the success of the LASTMA brand has created opportunities for thousand of Nigerians who would ordinarily have remained unemployed.

He emphasized that the more the officials of the state government think, the more it would find opportunities for development of the economy of Lagos and the country.

In his words: “Our government does not see the challenges anymore but we are looking at the opportunities that exist for the challenges which can be developed to better the lot of the people”.

He said for Sterling bank to have stood up to be counted is not only commendable and noble as an initiative but underscores the success of the Lagos brand whose sustenance would depend upon continued partnership between the public and private sectors.

The Governor also disclosed that the State Government has continued to provide opportunities for the engagements of young persons in order to realize their full potentials.

Continuing he added: “The development of the human resource capacity and personnel in terms of the number and talents and versatility that exists there represents one of the most valuable assets of the country”.

In line with these resolve, Governor Fashola added the schools debate has been reintroduced as a way of promoting expression of views and creation of thinking minds that will challenge the status quo.

He added that from the challenge, innovations will develop, stressing that if people had not challenged the status quo, the world would not have had electricity or develop aero planes.

“I belief that the end of invention has not come. The human race would continue to evolve new developments and same would be the level at which the human race would have to respond to the evolvements”, he added.

He charged Nigerian leaders to rise up and play critical roles in what happens on the African continent and on the global level saying the country should become a global reference point for best practices.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Yemi Adeola said the decision of the Sterling Bank to provide the raincoats followed an observation by a member of its staff of the conscientious service being offered to the public by LASTMA operatives under very severe weather conditions.

He added that the donation which is purely altruistic is an indication of the desire of the bank to assist the government in areas possible as the government cannot do it all alone.

Mr Adeola said the 4000 raincoats represent the first batch which would be replenished every passing year as the stock depletes.