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By Moses Akaigwe
Activities of the commercial (yellow) buses were on Thursday checkmated at Ojodu Berger inward and outward Lagos, as a team led by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, stormed the area to address the abuse of lay-bys by transporters.
The Transportation Commissioner, alongside the Ministry of Transportation’s Traffic Enforcement Team, had carried out an unscheduled comprehensive enforcement exercise to address the issue of commuter vehicles using lay-bys as bus garage, thereby contributing to traffic congestion and inconvenience for the public.
The Commissioner personally oversaw the operation to ensure that public transportation facilities are used as intended and to alleviate the traffic issues in the Ojodu-Berger area. He ensured that lay-bys, which had been permanently converted into bus parks by mini-buses popularly known as ‘Korope,’ were all cleared from the lay-bys.
Addressing the bus drivers at the location, Osiyemi equally sounded notes of warning to public transport vehicles drivers in other areas of the state who are also engaging in such practices to desist as it will soon be their turn in the ongoing enforcement.
He also addressed the issue of unregistered and unpainted vehicles, advising their owners to do the needful or face the consequences of their actions in line with the Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
While carrying out the enforcement exercise at Ojodu Berger, a 33,000-litre tanker carrying diesel overturned, resulting in the spillage of its contents. This unfortunate event led to traffic congestion and warranted immediate attention.
The Commissioner and his team promptly inspected the scene of the incident on Otedola Bridge, working closely with relevant agencies and authorities to ensure that the situation was brought under control.
Safety measures and traffic management procedures were implemented to minimise the impact of the highly flammable spillage and ease the traffic congestion.
The Transport Commissioner reemphasised the ministry’s commitment to improving transportation services and addressing challenges that affect commuters and motorists in the state. “The actions taken today in Ojodu Berger and at Otedola Bridge demonstrate our resolve to enhance transportation infrastructure and ensure the safety and convenience of the public,” he said.
Also included in the enforcement team are; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Wale Musa; the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr .Bolaji Oreagba; and the Director of the Lagos State Vehicle Service, Engr. Akin-George Fashola, LASTMA/VIS Personnel and Officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
In a related exercise, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) team led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, had earlier in the week commenced a crackdown on unregistered and unpainted vehicles operating within the State.
The operation which was a proactive effort to enhance road safety, security and regulate the transportation sector, resulted in the apprehension of more than 200 unregistered and unpainted vehicles in two days.
Commenting on the exercise, Hon. Giwa stated that unregistered vehicles pose a significant risk to road safety and security, as they often bypass necessary inspections and regulations, jeopardizing their roadworthiness.
The Special Adviser also noted that the enforcement exercise is meant to reverse the menace by ensuring that all vehicles on Lagos State roads comply with the necessary registration and licensing requirements.
Giwa added that the enforcement operation has revealed that certain transport companies around; CMS, Obalende, Ajah, and Ojo Cantonment corridors have been operating their fleet of vehicles without proper documentation.
He stressed that the state government is taking this matter seriously and will hold such companies accountable for their actions. transport companies found to be operating without the appropriate documentation will face legal consequences, he added.
Speaking further, the Special Adviser emphasised the importance of vehicle registration and compliance with transport regulations, stating that the impounded vehicles will not be released until they are duly registered and have met all necessary safety standards.
He, however reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to improving road safety and ensuring that all transport operators adhere to the necessary regulations.
The ongoing crackdown is one of the efforts of the state government to create safer and more efficient transportation systems in Lagos state.
