•urges bus operators to call off strike
Lagos State government has assured that it will continue to partner with operators to improve commuting services within the state while promoting safety on the road.
Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, gave this assurance on Monday, following the protests at the Lagos-Agege Motor road/PWD Ikeja axis by Commercial Bus Operators against the Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Giwa, while addressing the aggrieved motorists, explained that the state government was desirous of an effective transportation system, even as he acknowledged the role commercial bus operators played in providing mobility for the citizenry.
The governor’s aide, in response to the demands made by operators, explained that enforcement of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018 amended would not be suspended for any reason as it was designed to sanitize the roads and promote good road etiquette amongst motorists, even as he appealed to the operators to adhere to the law and avoid apprehension.
Giwa affirmed that the ‘Referral Note’ issued by LASTMA was designed to ensure fairness and justice by giving the traffic law violator the opportunity to appear at the Lagos State Mobile Court against paying fines mentioned by the protesters, stressing that Commercial Bus Drivers must adhere to their routes for safety and security reasons.
On the complaint of transport operators being regularly captured with cameras, the Special Adviser explained that the Traffic Management Solutions (TMS) Device was designed to reduce the interface between traffic offenders and enforcers through real-time capturing of infractions by the motoring public, including commercial bus operators.
The Special Adviser, however, urged the leadership of the various transport unions to educate and enlighten their members on the need to always conform to traffic rules and regulations, including the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 as amended, reiterating that the state government would continue to review traffic interventions as required.
This was just as he promised to continue to engage the transport unions on the safety of lives and property through voluntary compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
