Reuben Abati blasts LASTMA over road closures during President Tinubu’s visit to Lagos

DDM News

Veteran journalist and broadcaster, Dr. Reuben Abati, has criticised the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

He condemned the blocking of major roads in Lagos due to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the state, Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports.

Abati voiced his frustrations during a live broadcast on Tuesday, May 28.

He described the road closures as inconsiderate and disruptive to the daily lives of Lagos residents.

President Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, for the 50th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS.

He also came to commission key projects and observe the upcoming Eid holiday in the state.

To ensure a smooth passage for the presidential motorcade, some major roads in Lagos were temporarily closed.

These closures caused widespread traffic congestion across several parts of the bustling commercial capital.

Speaking passionately, Abati noted that he frequently uses one of the blocked roads.

He said the situation left many residents stranded and frustrated for hours.

According to him, the authorities should not disrupt citizens’ movement just because the President is in town.

He insisted that governance should not inconvenience the very people it is meant to serve.

“This kind of behaviour by LASTMA is deeply troubling,” Abati said during his on-air remarks.

He argued that it reflected poor planning and a lack of empathy for the general public.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) also gathered that the road closures triggered frustration among daily commuters.

Many people missed appointments, arrived late to work, or endured hours in traffic without warning.

Some commuters said they were not informed in advance about the roadblocks and had no alternatives.

They described the experience as stressful, unnecessary, and a repeat of past presidential visits.

Critics have consistently warned against shutting down roads without proper coordination and public communication.

They argue that these actions display disregard for the challenges faced by average Nigerians.

This is not the first time such an issue has been raised during a presidential visit to Lagos.

Similar complaints followed visits by previous leaders, prompting calls for improved traffic control measures

Abati, a former presidential spokesperson himself, said leadership is about service, not making life harder for citizens.

He urged authorities to rethink their approach and find better ways to manage presidential movements.

“There must be a better way that doesn’t paralyze the whole city,” he concluded on the programme.

He stressed the need for compassion and responsible decision-making in traffic management strategies.

Residents have called for early advisories and better planning to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

Many say they simply want the freedom to move around, regardless of who is visiting the city.

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