- Task force warns aganist impersonation
Henceforth, tough times await commercial bus operators in Lagos metropolis as the Governor’s special Monitoring Team (GMT) begins strict enforcement of the State Road Traffic Law 2015.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, at the weekend, directed that the traffic rules should now be implemented in full to check the excesses of street-hawkers, commercial motorcyclists and buses, popularly called Danfo, all of whom he blamed for traffic gridlocks in the state.
In a related development, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has warned members of the public to be wary of some people impersonating the unit and collecting money in the name of getting impounded items retrieved. The task force chairman, Mr. Olubukola Abe, said this because of the recent arrest of an impersonator.
In accordance with the governor’s order, the GMT will begin to clamp down on operators, who violate the seat-belt rule and those picking or dropping off passengers in non-designated bus stops. Driver’s aides, popularly called conductors, are also mandated to sit and have the door closed while in motion.
Besides buses that are in the habit of stopping on the expressway or driving against traffic, the enforcement team will also clamp down on commercial buses that drive outside of the service lanes. Arrested violators would be charged to court and tried according, Ambode has directed.
The governor’s directive, as contained in the law, also prohibited all persons from riding a motorcycle, tricycle or push cart or wheelbarrow on expressways like Lagos – Ibadan; Apapa – Oshodi; Oworonshoki – Oshodi; Lagos – Ikorodu; Lagos – Abeokuta and Third Mainland Bridge. Others are Eti–Osa/Lekki – Epe Expressway; Lagos – Badagry Expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Agege Motor Road and Eti-Osa/Lekki Coastal Road.
The Guardian’s monitoring since yesterday revealed that several of the commercial bus operators are yet unaware of the directive. While few lamented that it would be a return to Fashola’s era, others spoke in denial that the traffic laws still exist.
Members of the public, however, commended efforts of the state government to restore sanity on Lagos roads.
Ambode, after a State Security Council meeting, said that it had became evident that the gridlocks, traffic crimes and robbery are easily traced to the menace of commercial motorcycle riders (Okada), street hawkers and reckless commercial buses (Danfo).
It would be recalled that the governor some three weeks ago, set up Governor’s Monitoring Team, with the mandate to begin intensive enforcement of law, apprehend vehicles, especially the commercial buses and Okada-riders in the habit of plying against traffic, as well as to declared war on miscreants, who rob in traffic.
Commander of the GMT, Adebowale Ganiyu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the directive given by the Governor was aimed at restoring sanity on the roads as well as boost the confidence of residents in line with the commitment of the government to ensure safety of lives and properties of every resident in the state.
The task force boss, Abe, said that he would henceforth charge to court any of his officers and Para-military men who engage in illegal dealings with members of the public on any arrested environmental violators.
Abe said since he assumed office, he had been on the close watch of activities of his officers and the Para- military men, who daily carry out enforcement on environmental offenders.
Abe advised members of the public to desist from patronising touts, who impersonate as officials of the Agency. He however said complaints on any illegal activities of his men should be reported directly to his office or call: 08188212223 and 07055028673.
