…Vows to unlock traffic gridlock points in the metropolis
The Lagos State Government has given a seven-day ultimatum to traders, motorists, taxi operators, commercial bus operators, artisans and the public to abate all forms of activity that escalate traffic gridlocks in the metropolis or face the law.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde issued the ultimatum during a stakeholder-meeting on the Traffic Management Intervention Plans for the State, saying that enforcement of the traffic laws would commence upon the expiration of the notice period, which commences from Monday, October 7, 2019, to Sunday, October 13, 2019.
Oladeinde said the meeting, which held in Alausa, was to sensitise stakeholders in the transport sector that the enforcement exercise would cover 60 major gridlock points already identified in different areas of the State to ease traffic congestion.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, the Commissioner stated that the all-inclusive meeting became necessary in the wake of the rising traffic delays experienced by residents, thereby impacting negatively on human health, commerce and socio-economic development.
While expressing displeasure at the attitude of some traders and road users, especially commercial bus operators, Dr. Oladeinde noted that their willful disobedience to traffic rules and regulations including illegal parking, crossing of road medians indiscriminately, illegal u-turns, illegal road trading and careless driving make nonsense of the rules and regulations established by the State Government and further complicate the traffic situation.
The Commissioner highlighted that Transportation and Traffic Management is at the frontier of the present administration’s six development pillars, noting that it also has an impact on the successful implementation of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.
“I am glad to note that the Ministry of Transportation is at the centre stage of the successful implementation of the other five development plans. What this means by implication is that effective traffic management and transportation is crucial to achieving success in all other development plans of this administration, because, without an efficient transport system, there is no socio-economic growth,” he stated.
He admonished the stakeholders to actively participate in the actualisation of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, assuring that the State Government would continue to provide efficient traffic management and transportation system that will continually meet the needs of a fast-growing smart city.
Oladeinde informed stakeholders present that the enforcement team would have its members nominated from road transport union members, traders across different locations, task force, police, traffic management agencies and other stakeholders to ensure equal representation.
Responding, a representative of NURTW, Alimosho branch, Mr. Adeyemo Johnson commended the State government for its initiatives to rid the metropolis of constant traffic gridlocks while calling for the provision of enough motor parks and shops to enable effective compliance with the law.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Risikat Akindele, Iyaloja of Ikotun, appealed for government’s help to sanitise all markets in the State, expressing the readiness of all market men and women to comply with the law.
The meeting had in attendance representatives of Market Men and Women Associations, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Police (Traffic Division) among others.
