THE Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has declared the use of its uniform, kits and other accoutrements by film and skit makers without due authorisation as illegal.
General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, on Thursday, 11 August 2023, expressed displeasure at the demeaning manner movie and skit makers portray the Agency, using its uniform without recourse to Section 79 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, criminalizing such unauthorized use.
The GM’s ire was drawn to a fully-kitted actress with a LASTMA uniform in a Yoruba film, titled ‘Gbogbo Lowo’, as well as other skit movies on different social media.
Oreagba, who spoke through the Agency’s Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement, said, “Film or skit makers who portray themselves as LASTMA officers without applying for, and being duly issued a permit letter for such portrayals, should desist with immediate effect or face the full wrath of the law”.
He maintained that such sanity in movie productions, regulation of possession and usage of LASTMA uniforms will surely curb the proliferation of the Agency’s kits, uniforms and accoutrements in society.
To this end, Oreagba said, “We implore the National Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTA) and other affiliated bodies to warn their members as anyone caught using LASTMA uniform without an approved permit would be prosecuted”.
Eighteen-Eleven Media