Lagos begins impounding unpainted commercial vehicles

By Christopher Oji

The Lagos State Government will commence the impounding of unpainted commercial buses across the state on today.

The government has, therefore, warned that all intra-state commercial vehicles not painted in red or yellow with black stripes would be impounded.

Director, Public Affairs & Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement, explained that the decision was in view of the need to comply with the laws and regulations guiding the operation of all commercial vehicle operators.

“The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, who gave the warning at the weekend in Oshodi, said the agency will commence an enforcement exercise on all unpainted commercial vehicles from today across the state.

Oreagba further said the warning was to ensure that commercial bus operators, especially those on intra-state services, comply with the existing  Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, in order to restore sanity on the roads and protect the lives and property of Lagosians. He emphasised that all minibuses, known as ‘Danfo’, including ‘Korope’, should be painted in yellow, with black stripes, while mass transit buses with two doors are to be painted with approved red colour.

Oreagba also noted that all buses authorised to ply Victoria Island and its environs, with an approved colour, must all be registered through the various established offices. He, therefore, urged all commercial bus operators to comply with the warning in their own interest, adding that officers of the LASTMA have been directed to impound any commercial bus not painted in the approved Lagos State colour of red or yellow with black stripes. He warned that any vehicle impounded will not be released until the needful is done, in accordance with the law.

“All commercial buses must be duly registered with commercial number plates and hackney permits issued by the appropriate authority in Lagos. Also, all approved area shuttle buses must, henceforth, restrict their operations to their ‘approved’ areas of coverage, as anyone caught outside their jurisdiction would be impounded and  the driver charged to court, accordingly,” he said.

He also advised all intra-state commercial bus operators to desist from violating traffic rules like illegal parking, loading or discharging of passengers at unapproved bus stops, driving without seat belts, driving on kerbs/medians/walkways, BRT corridors, driving against traffic, illegal U-turn and obstructions, among others.”