Ex-AIG replaces Arabame as LASTMA’s CEO

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday appointed the retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Christian Akioja Olakpe, as the new Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Olakpe is replacing the former CEO, Young Arabame, a former commissioner of police, who was last week relieved of his appointment.

Confirming the appointment, Ambode said the choice of Olakpe was to revamp LASTMA for improved performance and better relations with the public.

In a related development, Ambode, also on Monday approved the appointment of Taofik Adeyemi Fashola; Tunde Tairu Ogunleye and Fola Padonu as Permanent Secretaries in the State Public Service.

The governor, in a statement, said their appointment was in line with ongoing restructuring of the Public Service to deliver optimal and efficient service delivery.

The appointment of Olakpe, according to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Habib Aruna, was in strong response to the consistent complaints by the public on the situation of traffic on the streets of Lagos. He said that Olakpe’s wealth of experience placed him in pole position for the new appointment.

It would be recalled that the governor had approved the appointment of a new General Manager for the authority. “But the decision to appoint a seasoned former AIG as the CEO of LASTMA was further necessitated, owing to the fact that the impetus expected with the previous appointment was not fully actualized due to the docile nature of the headship of LASTMA.”

Olakpe is a graduate of Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos. He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1982 and traversed various commands including Bayelsa and Plateau, where he served as Commissioner of Police. Olakpe rose to become Assistant Inspector General of Police before his retirement in 2014.

Fashola, who until his appointment as permanent secretary in Audit Service Commission, was Director, Admin and HR, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.